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Top1. Introduction
Natural resources like water are finite and we are only the current custodians of resources which we hold in reserve for future generations. The fact is that man cannot survive even for a few days without water illustrates that we must have several litres of water every day just to maintain essential chemical balances in tissue and blood to control body temperature and to allow elimination of toxic wastes from metabolism. Human blood is 95 per cent water, bones are 22 per cent water and human brain is 75 per cent water (Ajayakumar, 2003).
Obtaining water for human consumption has been problematic since the beginning of the Neolithic Revolution in India (Redman 1978). The rise of large cities and areas of high population density led to the progressive pollution of clean water sources due to the uncontrolled disposal of faecal waste of human and animal origin (Markham 1994). Also, waste from traditional industries and crafts, such as tanneries or slaughterhouses put aquifers under strain (Borda, Popescu et al. 2008). As a result, springs, rivers and lakes located near large cities were, until well into the 20th century, a focal point for the dissemination of important epidemics like cholera, typhoid fever or dysentery.
Drinking water is important for survival, so that its biological and chemical contamination is a serious problem that may have severe health effects (Jin et al., 2010). Human activities increase contamination levels through different point and nonpoint sources, which eventually cause them to be present in our drinking water resources (Abouleish, 2012). Increasing pollution in drinking waters amplified the demand for safe waters (Cemek et al., 2007). In assessing the quality of drinking waters, consumers rely principally upon their senses with bottled waters being perceived as pure, safe, and of good taste; thus, their consumption is increasing despite the excessively high prices compared to tap water (Cidu et al., 2011; Kassenga, 2007). Bottled mineral waters are relatively large proportion of bottled water (between 40 and 60% globally) (Doria, 2006).
In modern day life man is increasingly depending on bottled water to satisfy his thirst. Recently, the consumption of bottled mineral waters has increased worldwide (Pinto and Reali, 2009; Mart´ın Sanchez et al., 1999; Cidu et al., 2011), because people living in developed countries have no suitable water supply at their homes (Azlan et al., 2012). Water quality can have a major impact on both individuals and communities health (Cemek et al., 2007). It is very important to human health to ensure the safety of consuming drinking water (Chiarenzelli & Pominville, 2008; Jin et al., 2010).
The following three factors play important role in raising the consumption of bottled water.
In many areas, tap water is either not available or not safe to drink. The failure of government to provide basic water services has opened the door to private companies and vendors filling a critical need but at a high cost to consumers. The price of bottled water is often thousand much higher than the reliable municipal water supply.
Another safety factor influencing consumer decision to select bottled water over tap water is the type of water supply system where the consumer lives. According to one study, due to inadequate funding and facilities, small water systems reportedly violated drinking water regulations more frequently than larger ones (Anadu & Harding, 2000).