Amid growing GBS fears, bottled water sales soar in Pune

Anil Kadam, a 73-year-old grocery shop owner in Karve Nagar, noticed a sharp increase in sales. “Before GBS came into focus, the sales were around 56% – 75% of the stock. Later, when people became aware that this disease spreads through water, we saw a huge hike in bottled water sales. At my store, we sell mineral water bottles. After GBS became active in the city, sales reached around 80% – 87% of the stock. More than 10,000 bottles of Rs 10 each are sold, and around 8,500 to 8,900 Rs 20 bottles are sold. I personally drink only bottled water at home because tap water is risky at the moment. Before consuming tap water, we have many questions — Is the water actually clean? Is the tank from where the drinking water is released properly maintained? Is the pipeline carrying the water to our homes clean and safe?” he said.

Restaurants and food outlets have also observed a noticeable shift in customer preferences. Sagar Chandhramukesh, 46, manager at Joshi Wadewale, Deccan, said, “Elderly people, youths, and adults—all who visit here—are served clean and purified water if they need regular drinking water. Otherwise, many of them choose packed bottled water.”
“The concern is the same for everyone — is the tap water safe? And if so, how safe is it? Many people don’t have water purification systems at home, so this is a major concern for them. Our stock will be finished soon. If I speak in percentage terms, around 85% of the stock is sold daily. People prefer well-known branded water for safety, as they are unsure about the condition of tap water,” Chandramukesh said.

Rutuja More, 39, a drinking water supplier near Cummins College, said students now choose bottled water over tap water. “In light of the recent GBS outbreak in Pune, many students from Cummins College have become increasingly cautious about their drinking water. Those staying in PGs and hostels, in particular, prefer bottled water due to safety concerns,” More said.

“Previously, our sales were at 70% capacity daily, but now they’ve surged to between 90% and 92%. On average, we sell around 500 litres of bottled water each day, with the standard rate being Rs 20 per litre. There is also a high demand for 10 litre bottles, which many students purchase for daily use. We sell approximately 30 of these large bottles every day. We source our water from certified mineral water manufacturers who follow strict quality standards. The water undergoes multiple purification stages, including reverse osmosis and UV treatment, ensuring its safety and purity. Given the current health concerns, it is understandable that students are taking extra precautions. We are committed to providing them with high-quality, purified water during this challenging time,” Rutuja added.

In Shivaji Nagar, Jay Mahajan, 68, a grocery store manager, said, “The biggest concern for people today is whether the water they drink is truly safe. With increasing doubts about tap water quality, more and more people are choosing bottled water for peace of mind. At my grocery store in Shivaji Nagar, I see this shift firsthand every day. Students, working professionals, and even families come to pick up bottled water instead of relying on the regular tap supply. Many from Sancheti Hospital also buy water bottles from my store.”

“We sell only well-known brands, as customers trust them more. Our sales have significantly increased in the past few weeks. Every morning, we receive a stock of 15 packs of small water bottles (each pack containing 12 bottles), and by the end of the day, nearly 210 bottles are sold. For the larger 1 litre bottles, demand is even more,” he said.

Sahil Jhore, a 21-year-old engineering student, says “With the rise of GBS cases, my family and I have completely stopped drinking tap water. We rely only on bottled water now because, honestly, we just don’t trust the quality of tap water anymore. The biggest concern is not knowing how well the water is filtered before it reaches us. We hear about PMC’s water purification process, but how often are the tanks actually cleaned? Are the pipelines carrying the water in good condition? These are questions that no one seems to have clear answers to.”

Alister Augustine is an intern with The Indian Express