Introduction:-
As we all know that Water is the most important necessity for life. We can say that drinking-water needs for individuals vary depending on the climate, physical activity and the body culture. but if to think carefully average consumers it is estimated to be about two to four litres per day. Today in indian society there are number of cases of water borne diseases, increasing water pollution, increasing urbanization, increasing scarcity of pure and safe water . have made the bottled water business just like other consumer items in india and world wide. Potable and wholesome water at railway stations, tourists spots, and role of tourism corp. etc. has also added to the growth and demand of drinking packaged water bottle.
All the Big international and national brands Packaged water bottles are available in Indian market right from the malls to railway stations, bus stations, grocery stores and even at panwala's shop. Before few years bottle water. was considered as the rich people's choice, but now it is penetrated even in rural areas. The growth and status of Indian Bottled Industry in comparison with Western or Asian market, India is far behind in terms of quantum, infrastructure, professionalism and standards implementation. The per capita consumption of mineral water in India is a mere 0.5-liter compared to 111 liter in Europe and 45-liter in USA. Also As per UN study conducted in 122 countries, in connection with water quality, India's number was dismal 120. In comparison to global standards India's bottled water segment is largely unregulated.
Former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has urged youngsters on July 17, 2010 to be aware of water conservation techniques to avoid grave water crisis in future."It is so sad that today, people are forced to buy water in plastic bottles. I am told that bottled water industry is worth nearly 10000 crore rupees and even big companies like the Coke and Pepsi are involved in this bottling of water and making money. So, it is imperative that we ought to save water," he added.
Do not be surprise if today's bottles water industry becomes next Oil industry by 2025.
Water Shortage and Health Awareness Driving Bottled Water Consumption in India. The Indian market is estimated at about Rs 1,000 Crore and is growing at whopping rate of 40 per cent. By 2010, it will reach Rs 4,000 -5,000 Crore with 33 per cent market for natural mineral water.
According to a national-level study, there are more than 200 bottled water brands in India and among them nearly 80 per cent are local brands. In fact, making bottled water is today a cottage industry in the country. Leave alone the metros, where a bottled-water manufacturer can be found even in a one-room shop, in every medium and small city and even some prosperous rural areas there are bottled water manufacturers.
While India ranks in the top 10 largest bottled water consumers in the world, its per capita per annum consumption of bottled water is estimated to be five litres which is comparatively lower than the global average of 24 litres. Today it is one of India's fastest growing industrial sectors. Between 1999 and 2004, the Indian bottled water market grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25 per cent - the highest in the world. The total annual bottled water consumption in India had tripled to 5 billion liters in 2004 from 1.5 billion liters in 1999. Global consumption of bottled water was nearing 200 billion liters in 2006.
