Chapter 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The literature on the topic includes valuable information

regarding the different aspects of the industry. The chapter

reviews literature on the importance of water as a precious but

exploited resource. Information on growth of the industry and

environmental and health issues related to the industry are

highlighted. Due importance is also given in this section to

measures for enhancing water quality and avoiding plastic

pollution.

Literature Review is divided into four parts.

Part I : Water as a precious but exploited resource.

Part II : Growth, structure and economic aspects of

bottled water industry

Part III : Environmental and health issues of bottled

water industry.

Part IV : Measures to ensure water quality and avoid

plastic.

2.1 Water as a precious but exploited resource

Ajayakumar K. (2003) brings out the importance of the

non-substitutable resource, i.e., water. He elaborates on the

45

sources of water on earth and gives a layman’s version of the

water scenario. He points out the exploitation of water by

multinational companies like Pepsi and Coco Cola and

elaborates on the health hazards of using bottled drinks. He

warns the people against the bottled water culture, which

might be quite unsafe due to use of low quality plastic and bad

packing techniques. Strict regulation and control of bottled

water firms to safeguard general health of the masses is the

recommendation made by him to combat the hazardous

impacts.

Barlow Maude and Tony Clarke (2002) express the view

that water is nature’s life blood and observes that global

consumption of water is doubling every 20 years which is

more than twice the rate of human population growth. On the

basis of secondary data the authors bring out the alarming

fact that world is facing fresh water bankruptcy. Details of

exploitation of water by trans-national corporations are

highlighted in the work. They recommend that with the help

and support of U.N, water should be recognized as a human

right and its abuse should be stopped at once. People have to

change their relationship with water – this is the appeal by the

authors.

46

Virendrakumar M.P. (2007a) elaborates on the

importance of water as a resource by stating that water is

mother and the starting point of all life. He emphasizes that

safe drinking water to all is the responsibility of the

government. He also criticizes the government for privatizing

water and recommends that to ensure water security, there

should be formation of a new water policy at the national and

international level.

Bate Roger (2003) gives us information regarding U.N.

estimates of water scarcity in the future. He conveys the idea

that water is mismanaged around the globe. He elaborates

that governments spend much money for provision of clean

water, but price water at close to zero, which is the reason for

its misuse by industries, farmers and municipalities. He

asserts that nationalization of water is not the solution to the

problem of water scarcity; water has to be treated like any

other commodity. Otherwise there will emerge chronic water

shortages in the future.

Roy Arundhathi (1999) observes that government are

building more and more dams and destroying the eco-system

of the nation. She criticizes that though big dams were

47

constructed after independence, one-fifth of our population

does not have safe drinking water and two-thirds lack basic

sanitation. Through her work she questions the

appropriateness of marketing running water.

Mc Kinney Michael L., and Robert M. Schoch (2001)

bring out the essentiality of water to the world. A distinction

between withdrawal of water and consumption of water is

made by them. On the one hand they bring out clearly the

growth in the worldwide demand for water and on the other

hand warn us about the unequal supply of water. They are of

the view that water shortages followed by pollution and rapid

withdrawal can pose serious problems to the global

population. They suggest that stopping water subsidies for

agriculture and taxing water use will provide incentives to

reduce water consumption. According to them in U.S.A., use of

bottled water doubled between 1984 and 1993. They observe

that bottled water industry all over the world is not poorly

regulated and this is the reason for the poor quality of water

supplied by them.

Ershad S. Muhammad and R. Sunil (2006) elaborate on

the exploitation of different nations by the Asian Development

48

Bank (ADB) through different drinking water schemes, which

ultimately lead to destruction of water sources in the third

world. The book explains how the ADB’s motto of public-

private participation opens up the water sector to large

corporations to amass huge profits. The role of ADB in

pressuring governments of member nations to accept and

rewrite their water policy, raising the price of water and

degrading its quality is also stressed in this work.

Azheekode Sukumar (2005) expresses the view that

today man is not drinking water; it is water, which is drinking

man. He elaborates on the super-power of Trans National

Corporations to even overrule the constitution of the nation.

He expresses his concern over the dwindling of groundwater

as a result of over exploitation of the most precious resource

on earth i.e., water.

Nair Vasudevan M.T. (2005) describes that water is the

base for life and plundering it means the denial of right to life.

Paying for drinking water is a cultural injustice and disgrace

to humanity. The author points out that life cannot go on

without nature and its conservation.

49

Ajayakumar K. (2003) in his book throws light upon the

structure and composition of water and far reaching

implications of water scarcity in the future. He emphasizes the

importance of avoiding loss of water during distribution, which

is about 42 per cent for Asia while it is only 15 per cent in

USA. According to him India is the largest consumer of water

in the world. Subsidizing of water leads to its misuse and so

there should be the sustainable use of water to make it

available to future generation also.

Aiyar Krishna V.R. (2003) gives a legal view of

exploitation of water by MNCs. According to him water is

nobody’s private property, but is a universal asset and the gift

of nature. From the viewpoint of social justice, the attempt by

MNCs to commercialize water and earn huge profits should be

discouraged. He points out that the article 21 of our

constitution preaches us to conserve the gifts of nature.

Briscoe John and RPS Malik (2007) in their book

enlighten us with regard to water and environmental

sustainability. Authors convey the idea that access to fresh

water is an undisputable need for the maintenance and

functioning of eco system. They elaborate that accelerating

50

population growth and unsustainable consumption and

production patterns have increased the demand for water. The

decline in quantity and quality of water reduces productivity of

eco systems leading to loss of bio diversity. Authors throw light

on the fact that by 2050 the total water demand of 1050

billion cubic metres (bcm) will be very close to total utilizable

water resources of 1122 bcm. The book also points out that

India faces a turbulent water future. The current water

development and management system is not sustainable.

Gray N.F. (1999) gives a description of the hydrological

cycle emphasizing the fact that the total volume of water in the

world remains constant, only quality and availability changes.

He elaborates on the role of water as a universal solvent,

having the capacity to dissolve anything it comes into contact

with. Water differs in quality depending largely on its source.

Desai Bharat (1990) expresses the view that water is the

most important but neglected resource which is essential to

human survival. He focuses on the increasing pressure on

water resources in future. There is a growing shortage of fresh

water in many parts of the world. He points out that India has

the second highest water potential in the world. The Author’s

51

observation is that more than 50 per cent of the people of

developing countries have no access to adequate and safe

water supply. More efficient use of water is required since 80

per cent of the diseases in the world are related to water and

sanitation.

Calder Ian R. (2006) expresses the view that the blue

revolution concerns both present and future generation since

it relates to long-term sustainability of the water resource.

Blue revolution according to him is a philosophical revolution

to respect world’s most precious resource – water. He

elaborates that the ascribing of value to water has the merit of

releasing water for higher value use and reducing demands on

public sector for providing water.

Black Maggie and Rupert Talbot (2005) point out that

within 10 years, the annual availability of fresh water per head

is expected to drop below 1700 cm (the international standard

of water stress) and by 2025 to below 1000 cm (level used to

define ‘water scarcity’). The authors explain the stress on safe

drinking water by the New Water Policy (NWP) of 2002. The

regulation of exploitation of groundwater beyond recharging

52

possibilities is also given much importance. The authors mock

at the idea of water as a precious resource carrying a price tag.

Shiva Vandana (2004) calls water the matrix of culture.

She points out that the global per capita water supply has

declined by 33 per cent. In India, the water stress is due not

only to population growth but also to excessive consumption.

She asserts that over exploitation of water and disruption of

water cycle create absolute water scarcity that market cannot

substitute with other commodities. The water crisis is an

ecological crisis with commercial causes, but no market

solutions. Water needs to remain a common good and requires

community management. She is of the opinion that the World

Bank is to be blamed for creating water scarcity and pollution

and then transforming it into a market opportunity for Water

Corporations.

In his article, Moon Ban-ki (2008) glorifies the role of

water as a vital global resource. He emphasizes that unlike

oil, there are no substitutes for water. The author points out

that climate change, mismanagement and overuse affects the

availability of this vital resource. Water is the common

denominator affecting the health and development of nations

53

across the globe. Author brings forth the need to evolve better

strategies for managing water, using it efficiently and sharing

it fairly.

Information on the state of world’s fresh water resources

is provided by Gleick Peter H (2007). He examines the causes

and impacts of water overuse and degradation. The author

also gives valuable insights into the growth of Bottled Water

Industry (BWI) all over the world, furnishing data in support of

his arguments.

Water wars between bottled water and tap water,

between big corporations and local water interests, between

convenience and cleanliness are brought into limelight by

Royte Elizabeth (2008). The production of tons of plastic

bottles is also studied. The face-off between Nestle and small

town of Fryeburg caused due to the sucking of more than 168

million gallons of water out of Fryeburg in 2005 is highlighted.

She warns that coming decades are decades of global water

scarcity and water wars.

Quoting NASA satellite data Rajagopal K.S. (2009)

reports that groundwater levels in northern India have been

declining by as much as one foot per year over the past

54

decade. More than 26 cubic meters of groundwater have

disappeared from aquifers in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and

parts of Delhi largely due to pumping and consumption by

human activities. Attention is drawn to the fact that aquifers

are drained faster than natural processes can replace them.

Water challenge is explained by Nayar Vibhu (2009) in

terms of resource availability, demography, economic growth

and 21st century challenges. To him water is unevenly

distributed, affecting Asia and Africa the most. India is

challenged as 50 per cent of rainfall is received in 15 days.

India’s per capita storage is 200 cubic metres (m3) as against

4,733 m3 in Australia 1,964 m3 in USA and 1,111 m3 in China.

Excessive groundwater extraction has resulted in 15 per cent

of the aquifers becoming critical. He fears that increasing

demand for food along with climate change has earned water

scarcity.

Snitow Alan (2007) points out that the control of water

has defined the structure of civilizations. The finiteness of

water is highlighted and also its dwindling compared to

world’s growing population. There is a growing involvement in

the movement against bottled water firms, challenging

55

privatization and fighting to protect the public resources like

water.

Jhingan M.L. and Chandar K. Sharma (2007) warn that

at least one-fifth of the world population does not have access

to safe drinking water and about one half of the people living

in UDCs suffer from water and food related diseases. Global

water use has been growing at more than twice the rate of

population increase. They narrate that extracting water from

underground sources at a rate which is faster than nature can

replenish, has caused aquifers in many parts of the world to

recede deeper underground.

Ratheesh S., (2009) attributes the drying up of water

sources to the unlimited exploitation by human beings. Water

is the life-blood of earth. The author laughs at the habit of

purchasing bottled water, substituting it for boiled water

which was a traditionally healthy habit of Keralites.

In the next two decades, according to Varma Subodh

(2009) global water consumption will increase from present

4,500 bcm to 6,900 bcm which is 40 per cent more than the

estimated reliable supply today. In India, water demand is

56

estimated to grow by 2.8 per cent to reach 1500 bcm while

supply is about 744 bcm.

Narasimhan T.N., (2010) presents the findings of water

resources group (consortium of private-social sector

organization). He provides insight into emerging world wide

water issues. Globally the current withdrawals of water exceed

availability and India shows a projected deficit of 50 per cent

by 2030. The need for the daunting task of formulating a

unified national water policy is the need of the hour because

water is a heritage which must be protected, defended and

treated as such.

Prasad M.K. (2006) brings forth the importance of water

to Kerala. According to him Kerala gets a rainfall of 12,000

crore sq. metres per year. 60 per cent of it reaches the sea.

Out of the remaining 40 per cent, a major portion percolates

into soil and a small portion is transformed into water vapour.

Today Kerala utilizes 120 crore square meters of water for

household purposes and about 100-150 crore square meters

for industrial use. In the next 50 years according to the author

the demand for water for household purposes will rise to 320

57

crore square metres and that for industrial use will rise to 430

crore square metres.

The Punjab farmers are warned by Swaminathan M.S.

(2010) against excessive use of fertilizers and extraction of too

much ground water lest the green revolution should become a

greed revolution. Unscientific ground water tapping will lead to

a rapid depletion of this capital resource.

2.2 Growth, structure and economic aspects of bottled

water industry

Virendrakumar M.P (2007b) in his article emphasizes the

crucial role played by water and predicts that it would become

the most precious item deciding the wealth of nations. He

illustrates the rapid growth and distribution of bottled water

industry in the country stating that India has the tenth

position in the world in sales of bottled water accounting for a

turnover of 1800 crores annually. He also mentions the

meagre contribution to government by the industry (2007b).

He opines that consumers pay about 4200 times more when

they buy a bottle of packaged water. He points towards the

huge profits appropriated by the multinational corporations.

Quoting studies conducted by various agencies, he concludes

58

that there is no basic difference between tap water and bottled

water and only civic consciousness can act as a long run

remedy against this water trade.

Attention is drawn by Achuthan A., (2007) to greedy

MNCs who are engaging in amassing huge profit from sale of

water. The author points out that the Water Conferences held

in 1992 in Dublin, in 2003 in Quitto and 2006 in Mexico

established water as a tradable and priceable commodity. On

the basis of data he confirms that the water market will have a

sales turnover of Rs.220 lakh crore by 2020.

Flecker Karl (2005) gives a description of the large scale

increase in the sale of bottled water by companies like Coca-

Cola (about 68 per cent, in 2002). He elaborates on the tricks

and techniques employed by the bottled water giants to

capture the water market. He also throws light on the clubbing

between such Multinational Corporations and educational

institutions in terms of providing financial assistance on the

one hand and ensuring sale of their product on the other

hand.

The exploitative measures and tactics employed by the

Coco-cola company are also narrated in this work. He unveils

59

the capturing of the global water market by multinational

corporations. He highlights the view that water should be

considered a human right and that it should be freely

available to the global population.

In his book hydro-geologist Chappelle Frank (2005)

narrates the history of BWI in the U.S.A. in an in-depth

manner. He reveals the complex story of geology, hydrology

and history which lies behind every bottle of spring water. It

chronicles the history of BWI in America from its beginning.

The book points out that materials used to store and package

water have always represented the pinnacle of available

technology.

Clarke Tony (2004) provides an overall picture of the

bottled water industry. He has covered various aspects of the

industry including the problems of exploitation of water and

even the major global corporations engaged in the business.

The marketing techniques employed by the industry and the

laws and regulations controlling the functioning of the

industry are also scrutinized.

Veerendrakumar M.P. (2006) attacks the bottled water

industry for being responsible in bribery cases to ensure water

60

distribution deals quoting the example of corporations like

‘Vivendi’ in France and ‘Thames water’ in Great Britain. He

also points out the report which established that the water

supplied by ‘United Water’ (MNC in Northern Britain)

contained toxic elements. To him privatization of water is a

danger to the very existence of living beings.

Mascha Michael (2006) explains that commercial

exploitation of water sources began in France. Evian the

famous bottled water giant first opened a thermal bath on the

private estate of the king of Sardinia in 1824. The king

authorized the sales of the water two years later and company

was formed in 1829 to sell the water. It was first bottled in

earthenware. Evian did not begin bottling in glass until 1920.

The author introduces readers to the epicurean delights

of water, sharing characteristics that provides various waters

with their unique flavors. The author reports about more than

100 of world’s best bottled waters.

2.3 Environmental and Health Issues of Bottled water

Industry.

Sharma Devinder (2007) highlights the exploitation of

underground water by the bottled water industry observing

61

that only a meagre amount is paid as taxes to the govenment.

The article points out that the Bottled water industry does not

follow guidelines towards maintaining quality and enormous

energy is lost in bottling water and throwing away bottles lead

to the problem of solid waste.

Both national and international data are used to sketch

the growth of bottled water industry and wastage of

underground water. The author urges the consumers to take a

pledge against the consumption of bottled water.

Shiva Vandana (2002) emphasizes the importance of

providing free drinking water to all. Plachimada experience is

cited to warn us about the dangerous lowering of the

underground water level’ at Plachimada and also points out

the water pollution to the environment through poisonous

elements like lead and cadmium released by the Coco Cola

plant there. The need of the hour according to the author is

laws which strongly deal with standards of quality required of

products like bottled drinks. She recommends that for world

peace to exist, water should be under the control of local

community and should be made the basic right of the people.

62

Narayanan Sunitha (2005) in her article discusses the

twin problems associated with the bottled water industry i.e.

the problem of exploitation of underground water by

multinational corporations and also the environmental

problem created by the plastic bottles which are rarely

recycled. After comparing the growth of the bottled water

industry, she puts forward the suggestion that like the Mayors

of Salt lake city and Sanfransisco India should also work

effectively towards the banning of bottled water.

Bijukumar (2007) and Ajaykumar Varma throw open the

wide world of plastic and its impact on the environment.

Readers are enabled to identify the friend and foe in plastic.

Recommendations of National Plastic Conservation Action

Council regarding manufacturing, sale and use of plastic are

highlighted. The work also discusses the environmental

degradation connected to use of different types of plastic.

Vasudevan P.A. (2005) gives a factual picture of the

struggle put forth by the people of Plachimada against the

Coca-Cola company. The author has brought out effectively

the people’s protest against the twin problems of exploitation

63

of underground water as well as the environmental pollution

caused by the factory.

Krishankutty K. (2005) gives a description of how on

account of the functioning of Coca-cola company, the water

level in the wells of Plachimada had dipped to dangerously

lower level. How a small Panchayat like Perumatti was able to

oppose and take a stand against the powerful Coca-Cola

company to protect their right to safe drinking water is cited in

this article.

Neelakandan C. R. (2005) expresses the belief that the

tactics employed by the trans-national companies to exploit

underground water at Plachimada is based on the fact that the

area is the richest in underground water resource. The article

explains the various health hazards suffered by the people of

Plachimada as a result of using the polluted water, and also as

result of using the industrial waste as manure. He conveys the

idea that the first priority for using water should be for

drinking and not for industrial purpose.

In his article, Vivek V.S. (2008) makes the readers

familiar with the technical know-how behind plastic fuel

plants which are capable of converting plastic waste into

64

useful fuel as well as virgin plastic. He unravels the infinite

possibilities of marketing plastic waste and states that it can

provide a solution to the problem of environment degradation

especially in highly dense states like Kerala.

Virendrakumar M.P. (2007c) emphasizes the far-

reaching effects of using plastic bottles. He points out that at

the manufacturing stage it self, plastic releases toxics which

are harmful to respiratory and reproductive system of

humans. He also connects global warming and acid rain to the

burning of plastic and recommends the large scale recycling of

plastic waste.

Raj Kaleeshwaram (2007) gives a true picture of

production and consumption of plastic in our country

expressing his concern over the lack of effective controls on

the use and production of plastic. He mentions that different

states have executed laws against use of plastic but have not

achieved 100 per cent results. He elaborates that a state like

Kerala with high density of population, high consumption

levels and low civic consciousness can seriously degrade the

environment. He recommends environmental policing through

65

formation of anti-plastic squad and also introduction of a take

back-system to collect used plastic bottles.

Siril D.V. (2007) focuses on the powers of environment to

maintain a balance in nature. He concentrates on various

issues related to nature which hamper its smooth balance like

deforestation and pollution of rivers. The need to conserve

water and maintain its resourcefulness and biodiversity is also

mentioned by him.

Kumar Aravind (2006) introduces the vitality of water

and explains the direct and indirect contaminants which

pollute this vital resource. He elaborates on the need to recycle

waste and the urgent needs to reduce if not eradicate water

pollution.

Narayan Sunitha (2006) attacks the cola companies on

the basis of the test report confirming pesticides in soft drinks.

She warns that pesticides in cola are a case of large and

powerful corporations misusing their power to pressurise

governments not to notify regulations. There are veiled threats

from U.S govt. officials that issue of final product standard will

curtail FDI. She warns that it is about what we drink and

cannot be taken lightly.

66

Pandey Mike brings forth The view that environment is

common to all and that the abuse of environment has brought

us to our knees is brought forth by Pandey Mike (2010). The

priority is for water management which is directly connected

to food supply. Since there is a huge depletion of

groundwater, there is a need to put value to it. Better

irrigation techniques like sprinklers and conserving of

rainwater are to be adopted. According to him Food security is

in danger because earlier world had a buffer stock of two

years, now it has come down to 90 days.

Dunham Richard S. (2009) informs that Americans

consumed 8.7 billion gallons of bottled water in 2008-09 and

warns against the brewing environmental backlash against all

the plastic bottles used to fuel our bottled water addiction.

Mishra Soni (2009) has explained the impact of climate

change on water bodies and the general availability of water.

Rising temperature due to climate change has caused

decreasing water flow in streams and many water-holes have

gone dry.

Kumar Sharan (2008) warns that groundwater levels

have retreated in areas where more water is being pumped for

67

irrigation than can be replenished by the rain. It finally leads

to abandonment of some of the best farming lands.

Dharur Suresh (2009) observes that Punjab, the land of

rivers is drying up rapidly and overexploitation of groundwater

is leading to drastic depletion of water-table putting the state

in the danger-zone. Groundwater exploitation has reached an

alarming 110 per cent meaning that more water is being used

than being recharged.

Singh Arvinder (2010) reports that unlike petroleum

based plastics bio plastics are eliminated from our bio sphere

in an environment friendly fashion. They neither leave plastic

litter nor leads to depletion of our finite resources. The author

also states that they are helpful in reducing carbon foot prints

by as much as 40 per cent. A number of bio plastics based on

cellulose, starch and poly lactic acid are common.

Anand S. and M. Kathireson (2010) warn that plastic

waste is increasing due to increase in population,

developmental activities, changes in life style and socio

economic conditions. Plastic waste is a significant portion of

total municipal solid waste in India. Approximately 10000 tons

of plastic waste is generated everyday. According to the

68

authors the growth of the Indian plastic industry has been

phenomenal and shows a growth rate of 17 per cent which is

higher than that for plastic industries else where in the world.

2.4 Measures to ensure water quality and avoid plastic

pollution

Biswas Madhumitra (2007) explains that the polluter

pays principle is a solution to the problem of environmental

pollution. Polluters would have to bear full cost of

environmental degradations and damage that their activities

cause.

A ban on non–recyclable plastic is proposed by Kandhari

Richi (2009). Non-recyclable plastic forms 40 per cent of the

total plastic waste generated in India. The author points out

that multi layered packaging made of bio-degradable plastic

that meets BIS standards is the solution to problem of plastic

waste.

Soman C.R. (2007) points to the double-standards of the

Malayalee consumer who speaks against global corporations

but use bottled water produced by them. The article throws

light on the huge economic exploitation by the water industry.

He compares the water made available by the bottled water

69

industry and concludes that there is no continuous and fool-

proof checking of various bottled water brands, though some

criteria are put down by Bureau of Indian Standards.

Author recommends the revival of the traditional habit of

using boiled water. The Author mocks the govt. for its

declaration to start bottled water industry since it declares

their disbelief in the water supplied by them.

Shrivastava A.K. (2003) expresses the view that local

authorities have a definite role to play in controlling drinking

and bathing water quality, in preventing pollution of surface

water and ground water. He gives importance to ensuring a

balance between the water demand and water supply on the

basis of rational use and management of water resources.

Narayan Sunita (2007) focuses on the study report of the

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) which confirmed

the presence of pesticides far beyond permissible levels in

bottled water. She has criticized the BIS for not having clear

cut criteria and strategy for ensuring safe drinking water. She

brings forth the view that consumer being the king, can oust

such MNCs by exercising their choice against bottled water.

70

Susarla Ramesh (2008) glorifies the role played by the

Guntur Municipal Corporation of Andhra Pradesh in providing

safe drinking water of good quality to all citizens of Guntur. He

points out that despite the region being scarce in ground water

resource, safe drinking water could be provided through

setting up of effective filtration plants, clearing of storage

tanks and checking leakages. Writer emphasizes the

importance of water audit at reservoirs which increase

accountability of staff and public. This could go a long way in

avoiding bottled water.

Tiwari A.K. (2006) gives a history of various Acts starting

from the Water Act of 1974 formulated with the objective of

protecting environment. Various pollution control boards at

the state level and central level to control the occurrence of

pollution are also discussed. The book goes into detail about

the prevention, control and abatement of environmental

pollution.

Seth Bharat Lal (2006) applauds the Central Board for

Direct Taxes (CBDT) for giving tax incentives to industries to

install waste water treatment plants. He puts forward the

opinion that it is good to provide incentive for a polluting

71

enterprise to clean up their waste. According to the writer in a

water-stressed country like India, it is essential that such

schemes incorporate re-use of treated waste water. With

industrial water prices rising, re-use of treated waste will

make more economic sense.

Suchithra M. (2007) mentions that the World Water

Forum held in Mexico city could not reach a consensus

regarding the declaration of drinking water as a human right.

She blames the State and Central Governments for providing

all support to the bottled water industry. The author states

that in a State like Kerala which has the highest density of

wells in the world, with 44 rivers and above one lakh ponds,

there should be no reason for scarcity of drinking water.

Author blames the Water Authority of the State for

mismanaging the most precious resource, i.e., water.

Nair Gowridasan (2008) highlights the need for

amending Kerala Groundwater Regulation Act 2002.

Excessive or harmful extraction and the indiscriminate use of

groundwater are to be curbed. He highlights the view of the

Planning Commission that State is the trustee of all natural

72

resources including groundwater and that State has the duty

to prevent its excessive exploitation.

Senior Dorothy and Nick Siege (2005) provide practical

advice on the technical challenges faced by anyone bottling

water. It includes diverse technical aspects of bottling water.

An essential aspect of quality management, auditing and

microbiology of natural mineral water and treated bottled

water are also included in this study.

Sangameswaran K.T. (2009) reports that the Madras

High Court has pulled up the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control

Board for its failure to implement Central rules with regard to

use and sale of plastic. Soil and water pollution due to

dumping of plastics and air pollution due to burning of plastic

bags was of greater concern. The writer upholds the view of

the Bench that the undisputed devastation of the environment

due to use of plastics and its impact on the health of human

beings and animals was very serious.

Nath C. Surendra (2005) in his article brings forth the

fact that today governments across the globe are under the

control of the power exercised by the multinational

corporations. The movements against local or National

73

governments are to be seen as movements against such

corporations. He also highlights the fact that not only in

Kerala or India, but also throughout almost all nations across

the world, there is an absence of laws to protect the

underground water resource.

Menon P.C. (2009) has glorified the role of plastic in the

present world. Plastic worth $ 3.7 billion was exported by

India in 2008. India is estimated to hold third position in

World Plastic industry by 2012. To the author what is needed

is not the prohibition of plastic, but the management of plastic

waste. In place of incineration of plastic, many processes like

recycling, Plasma Pyrolysis, Thermalysis, using of compactors,

etc., are suggested by the author.

Babu Abhilash (2008) criticizes the government for the

steep rise brought about in water charges. Profit as a motive

for all economic activities is unfit to be followed in case of

services like electricity, water, education, medical and health

care, etc. The rising prices of water combined with its lower

availability leads to lower sanitation and higher incidence of

epidemics like jaundice, cholera, dysentery, etc. Such

diseases are more likely to strike the poorer sections of the

74

community. The author highlights that the poor are

considered insignificant from the point of view of the market.

Indushekhar K.S. (2008) states that the recent action of

the Water authority to increase the water tariff is an attempt

to please the International organizations like the World Bank

and Asian Development Bank. The financial assistance

provided by such institutions have been tied to the demands

for modernization and for including water and electricity in

Cost Recovery items which is part of the neo-liberal culture.

The author criticizes that the water policy of the Government

has been framed in accordance with the view that government

should treat water as yet another commodity and should not

actively engage in the distribution and marketing of the

resource.

The case for water as a commodity for irrigation,

industrial use and luxurious uses by the affluent is presented

by Aiyar Ramaswamy R. (2003). He presents the view of water

as Commons or Common Pool Resource (CPR). He presents

some valid perceptions of water as a commodity, as a basic

right and divinity. Author also enlightens us about the

Ground Water legislation.

75

Thomas and Callan (2007) view water as a classic

example of a natural resource characterised by the absence of

property rights. Unless government intervenes, water supplies

will be overused and contaminated. Effective water policy

depends on careful appraisal of existing water quality

conditions and setting of objectives and instruments to satisfy

them.

Krishnakumar R. (2009) reports that the people’s

movement at Plachimada against the Coco-Cola company is a

symbol of the world wide struggle for people’s right to public

resources like water. The author points out that Coca-Cola

was made to shut down its plant, supply drinking water in

tanker lorries to the affected villages and take measures to

contain pollution.

India is one of the few countries of the world which has

provided constitutional protection against environmental

pollution according to Eugine T. (2007). Pollution is

recognised as a slow agent of death and Article 51-A and 48-A

was incorporated in the Constitution in 1976.

Majumdar Chirodip and Gautam Gupta (2009) express

their views on the quality of drinking water. Supply of water of

76

desirable quality yields a range of benefits to households by

reducing averting expenditure and expenditure on illness.

These expenditures are a measure of the costs that society

bears due to undesirable quality of water.

Sharma Vibha (2009) through her article points out that

water scarcity in coastal and island states could be solved by

“LTTD” (Low Temperature Thermal Desalination System)

which converts saline sea water into potable water at six to

seven paise per litre. The estimated cost includes electricity,

capital and other fixed costs.

Dwivedi Gaurav, Rehmat and Shripad Dharmaadhikari

(2002) highlight the emerging issues related to privatization of

water in the context of the recent surge of privatization related

initiatives in water sector in India.. The authors state that the

attempts at privatization of water till recent times from all

across the globe indicate that they have been met with strong

resistance wherever they have been implemented. This is

because of total failure of all these programs to address the

social responsibilities of providing water to all without

consideration of profits.

77

Srinivasan R. K. and Suresh Babu S.V. (2005) provide a

comprehensive documentation of localized community level

approaches in urban waste water management. Besides

providing an overview of eco-sanitation and decentralized

waste water treatment technologies, it also captures the

emerging trends in the water harvesting sector. They highlight

the water crises in Delhi pointing towards the unsustainable

ground water use and the need for water harvesting.

Agarawal Anil, Indira Khurana and Sunita Narain (2001)

document traditions, practices, technologies and policies of

water harvesting in the country. They assess the government

efforts to deal with drought. They give a clear message for the

thirsty times a head. Water must be made everyone’s

business.

Narayan Sunita and Anil Agarawal (1997)give a

comprehensive view of India’s traditional water harvesting.

They try to trigger interest in community based water

management. The authors explain how water management has

transferred from community control to state supremacy.

Stevens Eugene S. (2002) explains that plastic waste

represents a huge environmental problem, for they take ages

78

to decompose - the author presents everything about plastics

and writes about the efforts in America, Europe and Asia to

develop a new breed of environment friendly plastics. The

author also points towards the fact that plastic waste

management has become a matter of great public concern

because current plastics are recalcitrant or resistant to

degradation. Author supports green plastics which are

degradable and environment friendly.

Though the literature on the topic is rich enough and

provides information integral to the water industry, there is

insufficiency of facts or information related to the bottled

water industry in Kerala. This gap in information can be filled

in by a research on the various aspects of the functioning of

bottled water industry in Kerala. A study may be conducted

on the possible dangers of the water industry in Kerala in

terms of extraction of water and disposal of plastic bottles

used for packaging water. A research in this area will

enlighten us regarding the positive impact of the industry in

terms of production, employment generation, women

employment etc.

79

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