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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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