The Mirage Of RO Water: A Deceptive Game With Health In The Name Of Purity

JULY 7 (TNA) From street corners to remote villages, the rapid spread of bottled, RO, and so-called mineral water has become not just a burden on our pockets, but a serious threat to the environment. What’s running under the name of “pure water” is a well-organised racket turning human thirst into a business of profit.

Ironically, in a country blessed with abundant rivers and groundwater, people are forced to buy “purity” in plastic bottles for a few rupees, without any guarantee of quality. Often, this water is worse than tap water and carries the added risk of microplastic contamination.

The most alarming aspect of this trade is the mountain of plastic waste it generates. Millions of bottles are bought and recklessly discarded every day, damaging the environment and the hygiene of rural areas. These bottles don’t decompose easily, aren’t effectively recycled, and end up polluting groundwater, clogging drains, and killing animals.

“Water is life” – this timeless saying is part of our cultural identity. But today, this life-giving water has been trapped in a deceptive web. RO (Reverse Osmosis), once hailed as a symbol of purity, has become a dangerous obsession. In a country where selling water was once considered a sin, water is now an expensive commodity. RO systems have penetrated even the remotest villages, blindly embraced by people who are unaware of the consequences. But is RO water truly healthy?

While RO systems remove bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals, they also strip water of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. According to a 2017 WHO report, water with TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) below 100 mg/L becomes tasteless and nutritionally barren. The ideal TDS level for human consumption is 150–300 mg/L, whereas RO water often falls as low as 10–30 mg/L.

Moreover, RO systems are harmful to the environment. Producing one litre of RO water wastes 2–3 litres. A 2018 NITI Aayog report warned that 21 major Indian cities could run out of groundwater by 2030. Widespread use of RO could deepen the looming water crisis.

Prolonged consumption of RO water may lead to mineral deficiencies, weakening of bones, digestive disorders, and compromised immunity. A 2020 ICMR study found increased cases of electrolyte and hormonal imbalances in regular RO water consumers. Though companies offer “mineral cartridges” to replenish lost minerals, these synthetic substitutes are less effective than natural minerals, and sometimes even harmful.

Most bottled water is just RO water sold at high prices under branded labels. These plastic bottles also pose health risks due to microplastics and chemicals like BPA. RO water has become a dangerous trend, damaging both our health and the planet in the name of purity. We must understand that healthy water means balanced water rich in natural minerals. Nature already offers us rainwater, spring water, and clean wells—safe and sustainable alternatives.

It is time we wake up to this deception. The government must regulate this industry and ensure access to safe drinking water at the household level. As responsible citizens, we must boycott bottled water and return to traditional, eco-friendly sources. Otherwise, this tsunami of plastic under the guise of "pure water" will engulf not just us, but future generations too.