More than half the world does not trust its drinking water, and expects to be harmed by it in the next two years, a new global survey has found.

The study was done using nationally representative data from 148,585 adults in 141 countries from the 2019 Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, according to a release.&nbsp;

 
Watch: Water security threat amidst low snow on Himalayas, says report

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/water-security-threat-amidst-low-snow-on-himalayas-says-report-732944/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

 
The fear over drinking water was highest in Zambia, and lowest in Singapore while the overall mean was 52.3%, according to the study published in the journal Nature Communications on Monday (Aug 26).

In the US, 39%&nbsp;anticipated serious harm from drinking water in the short term, said the study by Northwestern University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-threatened-maldives-receives-tibetan-glacier-water-from-china-705369">Also read: Climate change-threatened Maldives receives Tibetan glacier water from China</a> 
 
Those who are worried about their drinking water are mainly women, city dwellers, individuals with more education, and those struggling with their current income were more likely to anticipate being harmed by their drinking water, said the release on the study.

Interestingly, it found a correlation between higher corruption perception index scores and expected harm from drinking water

And even in countries like the US, where water access is consistent, doubts about safety were widespread, found the study.&nbsp;

<h2>What happens when people don't trust their drinking water?</h2>

Sera Young, professor of anthropology and global health at Northwestern and senior author of the new study said,&nbsp;“When we mistrust our tap water, we buy packaged water, which is wildly expensive and hard on the environment; drink soda or other sugar-sweetened beverages, which is hard on the teeth and the waistline; and consume highly processed prepared foods or go to restaurants to avoid cooking at home, which is less healthy and more expensive."

"Individuals exposed to unsafe water also experience greater psychological stress and are at greater risk of depression.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earths-groundwater-to-turn-undrinkable-for-half-a-billion-people-by-2100-study-740031">Also read:&nbsp;Earth's groundwater to turn 'undrinkable' for half a billion people by 2100: Study</a> 
 
It is difficult for consumers to judge the hazards and safety of their water supply because many contaminants are invisible, odourless and tasteless, noted the authors of the study.

Without adequate information, many are left to evaluate the safety of their water based on prior experiences, media reports, and personal values and beliefs, they said.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

More than half the world does not trust its drinking water, and expects to be harmed by it in the next two years, a new global survey has found. The study was done using nationally representative data from 148,585 adults in 141 countries from the 2019 Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, according to a release.

More than half the world does not trust its drinking water, and expects to be harmed by it in the next two years, a new global survey has found. The study was done using nationally representative data from 148,585 adults in 141 countries from the 2019 Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, according to a release. Watch: Water security threat amidst low snow on Himalayas, says report × The fear over drinking water was highest in Zambia, and lowest in Singapore while the overall mean was 52.3%, according to the study published in the journal Nature Communications on Monday (Aug 26). In the US, 39% anticipated serious harm from drinking water in the short term, said the study by Northwestern University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Also read: Climate change-threatened Maldives receives Tibetan glacier water from China Those who are worried about their drinking water are mainly women, city dwellers, individuals with more education, and those struggling with their current income were more likely to anticipate being harmed by their drinking water, said the release on the study. Interestingly, it found a correlation between higher corruption perception index scores and expected harm from drinking water And even in countries like the US, where water access is consistent, doubts about safety were widespread, found the study. What happens when people don't trust their drinking water? Sera Young, professor of anthropology and global health at Northwestern and senior author of the new study said, “When we mistrust our tap water, we buy packaged water, which is wildly expensive and hard on the environment; drink soda or other sugar-sweetened beverages, which is hard on the teeth and the waistline; and consume highly processed prepared foods or go to restaurants to avoid cooking at home, which is less healthy and more expensive." "Individuals exposed to unsafe water also experience greater psychological stress and are at greater risk of depression.” Also read: Earth's groundwater to turn 'undrinkable' for half a billion people by 2100: Study It is difficult for consumers to judge the hazards and safety of their water supply because many contaminants are invisible, odourless and tasteless, noted the authors of the study. Without adequate information, many are left to evaluate the safety of their water based on prior experiences, media reports, and personal values and beliefs, they said. (With inputs from agencies)

More than half of the world does not trust its drinking water and expects to be harmed by it: Study

A 19th-century shipwreck was uncovered in good condition loaded with champagne bottles in the deep Baltic Sea. The discovery was made by a team of Polish divers off the south coast of Sweden.

The ancient sailing ship was, "loaded to the sides with champagne, wine, mineral water and porcelain," according to the statement by the Baltictech team, who made the discovery.

“I have been diving for 40 years, and it often happens that there is one bottle or two… but to discover a wreck with so much cargo, it’s a first for me,” Tomasz Stachura, the leader of the diving team that discovered the wreck told CNN.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/australias-biggest-maritime-mystery-solved-as-mv-noongahs-shipwreck-found-after-55-years-744180">Australia's biggest maritime mystery solved as MV Noongah's shipwreck found after 55 years</a>

When the divers first discovered the wreck on the sonar, they thought it to be a fishing boat. But when two of their divers were gone for almost two hours for what was supposed to be a quick dive, they knew they had found something interesting.

The team encountered over 100 bottles of champagne and clay bottles of mineral water. While the champagne seemed more valuable, it was the mineral water that was more precious according to Baltictech.

"Its value was so precious that transports were escorted by the police," the statement by Baltictech said.

In older days, mineral water only reached the royals and was almost treated like medicine. The water bottles had the seal of Selters, a highly regarded German brand in those days which still exists today. The water comes from a mineral spring in the town of Selters, in Hesse, a central German state and has been bottled for more than 800 years.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/labourer-finds-diamond-worth-95000-in-indias-panna-city-i-knew-i-had-found-a-diamond-744217">Labourer finds diamond worth $95,000 in India's Panna city: 'I knew I had found a diamond'</a>

"Thanks to the shape of the stamp and with historians' help, we know that our shipment was produced between 1850-1867. Interestingly, the pottery factory into which the water was bottled also exists, and we are in contact with them to find out more details," said&nbsp;Stachura.

The divers have informed the Swedish authorities about their finds, located about 20 nautical miles south of Öland, a Swedish island. However, Stachura said that the extraction of the bottles could take some time due to administrative restrictions.

“It had been lying there for 170 years, so let it lie there for one more year, and we will have time to better prepare for the operation,” he said.

Stachura told the BBC that the shipment could have been transported to Tsar Nicholas I, the Russian emperor, who is reported to have lost a ship in the same area during that time.

(With inputs from agencies)

A 19th-century shipwreck was uncovered in good condition loaded with champagne bottles in the deep Baltic Sea. The discovery was made by a team of Polish divers off the south coast of Sweden.

A 19th-century shipwreck was uncovered in good condition loaded with champagne bottles in the deep Baltic Sea. The discovery was made by a team of Polish divers off the south coast of Sweden. The ancient sailing ship was, "loaded to the sides with champagne, wine, mineral water and porcelain," according to the statement by the Baltictech team, who made the discovery. “I have been diving for 40 years, and it often happens that there is one bottle or two… but to discover a wreck with so much cargo, it’s a first for me,” Tomasz Stachura, the leader of the diving team that discovered the wreck told CNN. Also Read | Australia's biggest maritime mystery solved as MV Noongah's shipwreck found after 55 years When the divers first discovered the wreck on the sonar, they thought it to be a fishing boat. But when two of their divers were gone for almost two hours for what was supposed to be a quick dive, they knew they had found something interesting. The team encountered over 100 bottles of champagne and clay bottles of mineral water. While the champagne seemed more valuable, it was the mineral water that was more precious according to Baltictech. "Its value was so precious that transports were escorted by the police," the statement by Baltictech said. In older days, mineral water only reached the royals and was almost treated like medicine. The water bottles had the seal of Selters, a highly regarded German brand in those days which still exists today. The water comes from a mineral spring in the town of Selters, in Hesse, a central German state and has been bottled for more than 800 years. Also Read | Labourer finds diamond worth $95,000 in India's Panna city: 'I knew I had found a diamond' "Thanks to the shape of the stamp and with historians' help, we know that our shipment was produced between 1850-1867. Interestingly, the pottery factory into which the water was bottled also exists, and we are in contact with them to find out more details," said Stachura. The divers have informed the Swedish authorities about their finds, located about 20 nautical miles south of Öland, a Swedish island. However, Stachura said that the extraction of the bottles could take some time due to administrative restrictions. “It had been lying there for 170 years, so let it lie there for one more year, and we will have time to better prepare for the operation,” he said. Stachura told the BBC that the shipment could have been transported to Tsar Nicholas I, the Russian emperor, who is reported to have lost a ship in the same area during that time. (With inputs from agencies)

19th-century shipwreck discovered loaded with over 100 champagne bottles and valuable mineral water

In a major crackdown against spurious mineral water being sold in trains, more than 800 people were arrested on Wednesday.

As many as 48,860 bottles of spurious mineral water were recovered in an operation which was carried out at over 300 places following the complaints filed by passengers.

"A major crackdown on those who sell spurious mineral water was carried out at over 300 places. More than 800 persons, including manager of 4 pantry cars, were arrested and 48,860 bottles recovered," news agency ANI quoted Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court asked the Railways on Tuesday to file an affidavit detailing the steps it has taken, and proposes to take, to ensure availability of clean and safe drinking water on its trains as well as stations.

The lawyers, representing the Railways, told the HC that it has set up chlorination plants to treat the water. The Railways also told the court that it, occasionally, sends samples of water collected from its stations to laboratories. 
 
Indian Railways has been taking steps to ensure the safety and convenience of passengers. Passengers on board premier trains like Rajdhani and Duronto are provided with free Rail Neer bottles but passengers on many other trains have to rely on either buying bottles or using drinking water taps at stations.&nbsp;

However, several vendors supply spurious water with stickers of well-known brands pasted on bottles.

 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

In a major crackdown against spurious mineral water being sold in trains, more than 800 people were arrested on Wednesday. As many as 48,860 bottles of spurious mineral water were recovered in an operation which was carried out at over 300 places following the complaints filed by passengers.

In a major crackdown against spurious mineral water being sold in trains, more than 800 people were arrested on Wednesday. As many as 48,860 bottles of spurious mineral water were recovered in an operation which was carried out at over 300 places following the complaints filed by passengers. "A major crackdown on those who sell spurious mineral water was carried out at over 300 places. More than 800 persons, including manager of 4 pantry cars, were arrested and 48,860 bottles recovered," news agency ANI quoted Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court asked the Railways on Tuesday to file an affidavit detailing the steps it has taken, and proposes to take, to ensure availability of clean and safe drinking water on its trains as well as stations. The lawyers, representing the Railways, told the HC that it has set up chlorination plants to treat the water. The Railways also told the court that it, occasionally, sends samples of water collected from its stations to laboratories. Indian Railways has been taking steps to ensure the safety and convenience of passengers. Passengers on board premier trains like Rajdhani and Duronto are provided with free Rail Neer bottles but passengers on many other trains have to rely on either buying bottles or using drinking water taps at stations. However, several vendors supply spurious water with stickers of well-known brands pasted on bottles. (With inputs from agencies)

Over 800 people arrested in crackdown against spurious water sold in trains

In a landmark decision, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-supreme-court-reserves-verdict-in-case-concerning-constitutional-status-of-gilgit-baltistan-in-pok-189091">Pakistan's Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Saturday imposed a levy of Re 1 for every litre of surface water extracted by companies selling mineral water and beverages, according to a media report.

The judgement was issued on a suo moto case pertaining to selling by the companies of water extracted from underground sources without any charge as well as the quality and fitness of the same for human consumption, Dawn newspaper reported.

The revenue so collected will be used for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.

Authored by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, the judgement also required the provincial governments as well as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-police-arrest-5-baloch-separatists-for-chinese-consulate-attack-in-karachi-189676">the Islamabad Capital Territory administration</a> to set up separate and distinct accounts to receive the amounts collected under the water charges, the report said.

The amounts will then be deposited in the dams fund already created by the apex court.

The apex court made it clear that the funds so collected would not be diverted in any circumstances to any other purpose other than construction of dams and water-related activities.

However, once the dams are constructed, the provincial governments, subject to the order of the apex court, will be at liberty to utilise the funds collected in the accounts, the judgement said.

The apex court also constituted a special committee, headed by Prof Dr Mohammad Ahsan Siddiqui and comprising representatives of the provincial chief secretaries, director generals of the federal and provincial environmental protection agencies (EPAs) and others, to devise a mechanism for calculation, collection and monitoring of the recovery of water charges from all major industries consuming surface or groundwater.

The industries include the energy sector, pulp and paper, cement, sugar, ethanol refineries, textiles, garments, tanneries, petroleum refineries, petrochemical industries, and fertilisers.

A similar levy has already been imposed on the cement industry.

The committee after consultations will suggest imposing water tariff on these industries, the order said.

The apex court directed the federal and provincial governments to ensure installation of a foolproof and state-of-the-art metering mechanism at every extraction unit within a period of 30 days.

Close-circuit cameras will also be installed at the respective premises of the companies involved in the extraction of groundwater or utilisation of surface water for their business. The extraction will be monitored closely by the respective EPA on a daily basis, the verdict said.

In order to counter environmental impact, the Supreme Court ordered the mineral water and beverage companies to start tree plantation programmes to fulfil their corporate social responsibility.

"We expect each company to plant/arrange the plantation of 10,000 trees per annum," the court said, adding that a comprehensive programme would also be put in place to gradually phase out plastic bottles.

In the meantime, it said, it would be ensured that the plastic used for making bottles was certified by competent laboratories as being fit for human consumption.

The bottled water companies are also required to provide a chart highlighting milestones for meeting all the objectives spelt out in the order and will furnish monthly compliance/progress reports with the implementation bench being constituted under the judgement for its perusal and appropriate orders.

"The respective food authorities and the special committee also enjoy the authority to conduct surprise inspections at any time of the factory premises and water bottling/beverage facilities to ensure strict and faithful compliance of this order," the Supreme Court said.

The implementation bench will take up the matter on January 31.

The revenue so collected will be used for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.

In a landmark decision, Pakistan's Supreme Court on Saturday imposed a levy of Re 1 for every litre of surface water extracted by companies selling mineral water and beverages, according to a media report. The judgement was issued on a suo moto case pertaining to selling by the companies of water extracted from underground sources without any charge as well as the quality and fitness of the same for human consumption, Dawn newspaper reported. The revenue so collected will be used for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams. Authored by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, the judgement also required the provincial governments as well as the Islamabad Capital Territory administration to set up separate and distinct accounts to receive the amounts collected under the water charges, the report said. The amounts will then be deposited in the dams fund already created by the apex court. The apex court made it clear that the funds so collected would not be diverted in any circumstances to any other purpose other than construction of dams and water-related activities. However, once the dams are constructed, the provincial governments, subject to the order of the apex court, will be at liberty to utilise the funds collected in the accounts, the judgement said. The apex court also constituted a special committee, headed by Prof Dr Mohammad Ahsan Siddiqui and comprising representatives of the provincial chief secretaries, director generals of the federal and provincial environmental protection agencies (EPAs) and others, to devise a mechanism for calculation, collection and monitoring of the recovery of water charges from all major industries consuming surface or groundwater. The industries include the energy sector, pulp and paper, cement, sugar, ethanol refineries, textiles, garments, tanneries, petroleum refineries, petrochemical industries, and fertilisers. A similar levy has already been imposed on the cement industry. The committee after consultations will suggest imposing water tariff on these industries, the order said. The apex court directed the federal and provincial governments to ensure installation of a foolproof and state-of-the-art metering mechanism at every extraction unit within a period of 30 days. Close-circuit cameras will also be installed at the respective premises of the companies involved in the extraction of groundwater or utilisation of surface water for their business. The extraction will be monitored closely by the respective EPA on a daily basis, the verdict said. In order to counter environmental impact, the Supreme Court ordered the mineral water and beverage companies to start tree plantation programmes to fulfil their corporate social responsibility. "We expect each company to plant/arrange the plantation of 10,000 trees per annum," the court said, adding that a comprehensive programme would also be put in place to gradually phase out plastic bottles. In the meantime, it said, it would be ensured that the plastic used for making bottles was certified by competent laboratories as being fit for human consumption. The bottled water companies are also required to provide a chart highlighting milestones for meeting all the objectives spelt out in the order and will furnish monthly compliance/progress reports with the implementation bench being constituted under the judgement for its perusal and appropriate orders. "The respective food authorities and the special committee also enjoy the authority to conduct surprise inspections at any time of the factory premises and water bottling/beverage facilities to ensure strict and faithful compliance of this order," the Supreme Court said. The implementation bench will take up the matter on January 31.

Pakistan Supreme Court imposes Re 1 per litre charge on mineral water, beverage firms

Pakistan's Supreme Court Monday warned to shut down mineral water companies if the quality of water does not improve as an official report disclosed that some of the bottling and beverages plants lacked qualified and trained staff for water testing.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar and comprising Justices Ijazul Ahsan and Faisal Arbab was dismayed at the report submitted by the water commission in the mineral water suo motu case, the Express Tribune reported.

Citing the report, the paper said some companies lacked qualified and trained staff for water testing while some of the bottling and beverages plants did not have relevant environmental approval.

The report found two companies to be using water from Indus river and canals while the concentration of minerals mentioned on the water bottle was inaccurate.

"After reviewing the commission's report, I want to shut down the mineral water companies," the chief justice said. "The companies who have been stealing water will have to pay compensation."

Chief Justice Nisar said if the mineral water companies did not improve their system, the apex court will have no choice but to shut them down.

"Nobody will die of thirst if mineral water companies are shut," he said.

"The commission report states that the companies lack water testing system," Justice Ahsan noted.

The chief justice noted that if the mineral water companies were taxed Re1 per litre, the compensation amount will near Rs 700 billion.&nbsp;

"We can build the dams with the money," he observed.

Pakistan's Supreme Court Monday warned to shut down mineral water companies if the quality of water does not improve as an official report disclosed that some of the bottling and beverages plants lacked qualified and trained staff for water testing.

Pakistan's Supreme Court Monday warned to shut down mineral water companies if the quality of water does not improve as an official report disclosed that some of the bottling and beverages plants lacked qualified and trained staff for water testing. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar and comprising Justices Ijazul Ahsan and Faisal Arbab was dismayed at the report submitted by the water commission in the mineral water suo motu case, the Express Tribune reported. Citing the report, the paper said some companies lacked qualified and trained staff for water testing while some of the bottling and beverages plants did not have relevant environmental approval. The report found two companies to be using water from Indus river and canals while the concentration of minerals mentioned on the water bottle was inaccurate. "After reviewing the commission's report, I want to shut down the mineral water companies," the chief justice said. "The companies who have been stealing water will have to pay compensation." Chief Justice Nisar said if the mineral water companies did not improve their system, the apex court will have no choice but to shut them down. "Nobody will die of thirst if mineral water companies are shut," he said. "The commission report states that the companies lack water testing system," Justice Ahsan noted. The chief justice noted that if the mineral water companies were taxed Re1 per litre, the compensation amount will near Rs 700 billion. "We can build the dams with the money," he observed.

Pakistan Supreme Court warns to shut down mineral water companies

mineral-water

Mineral Water, News on Mineral Water, stories on Mineral Water, articles on Mineral Water, Mineral Water stories at Wion, Mineral Water news, Mineral Water latest news