Decoding Bisleri's 10-Step Purification Process
Bisleri sources its water from bore wells and then subjects it to a comprehensive purification process designed to eliminate impurities and contaminants. This journey transforms raw water into the final product and is a key factor in understanding its chemical composition.
Stage-by-Stage Purification
- Collection and Ozonisation: Raw water is collected from bore wells and initially treated with ozone, a powerful disinfectant that kills harmful bacteria and microbes more effectively than traditional chlorination.
- Double Filtration: The ozonated water undergoes sand filtration to remove suspended particles, followed by carbon filtration to eliminate organic impurities, color, odor, and any residual pesticides.
- Reverse Osmosis (RO): This crucial step removes excess dissolved salts and minerals, along with any remaining impurities that filtration missed, ensuring a high level of purity.
- Mineralisation: After RO, essential minerals like magnesium and potassium are added back in specific quantities to restore health benefits and improve the water's taste. Bisleri maintains a TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) level of up to 150 PPM in its standard packaged water.
- Micron Filtration: The water is passed through fine micron filters to catch any tiny particles that may have remained, ensuring the water is extremely clean.
- Re-ozonisation and Bottling: The water is ozonated one final time just before bottling to maintain purity in the sealed container. The bottles are blown on-site to minimize external contamination before the water is filled using automated, untouched-by-human-hands equipment.
- Quality Control: The process is supported by over 100 quality checks and tests for each batch, monitoring factors like pH levels, TDS, and microbial counts.
The Role of Added Minerals
When evaluating what chemicals are in Bisleri, it's important to distinguish between harmful contaminants and beneficial additives. The company adds compounds like magnesium sulphate and potassium bicarbonate, not as harmful chemicals, but as essential minerals for health and taste. These mineral salts improve the taste profile and replenish some nutrients lost during the extensive purification process, making it a healthy hydration choice.
Comparison: Bisleri vs. Other Water Types
To put Bisleri's process into context, comparing it with other common water types reveals key differences in chemical composition and treatment.
| Feature | Bisleri Packaged Drinking Water | Municipal Tap Water | Natural Mineral Water | Distilled Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Bore wells, purified | Surface or groundwater, treated | Naturally protected underground source | Varies; purified via distillation |
| Processing | Multi-stage purification, including RO, UV, and filtration. Minerals added. | Chlorination, basic filtration. Quality varies by location. | Bottled at source, some processing allowed. Minerals naturally present. | Boiled and steam condensed. Removes all minerals. |
| Mineral Content | Low TDS (approx. 150 PPM) with added magnesium and potassium. | Varies significantly by location. Can contain varying levels of minerals. | High natural mineral content (e.g., Bisleri Vedica). | Devoid of minerals; bland taste. |
| Contaminants | Microbe-free, harmful chemicals removed via multi-stage filtering. | Can contain pathogens, chlorine, and other chemicals depending on treatment. | Generally safe, but can be impacted by environmental contamination at the source. | Highly pure; free of most contaminants, minerals, and chemicals. |
| Risk of Leaching | Potential risk from PET plastic, minimized by manufacturing controls and proper storage. | None from the water source itself, but plumbing could be a factor. | Minimal risk, especially if bottled in glass (e.g., Bisleri Vedica). | Potential risk if stored in plastic. |
Concerns about Plastic Leaching and Quality Control
While the company's internal purification process is robust, consumer concern often extends to the plastic bottles themselves. All PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles, including those used by Bisleri, have the potential to leach small amounts of chemicals, such as antimony, into the water, especially when exposed to heat or sunlight. Bisleri mitigates this by blowing its bottles on-site and having strict quality control, but proper storage remains a key consumer responsibility.
In some regions, there have been historical issues with bottled water quality, including some brands (not necessarily Bisleri's primary brand) being flagged for contaminants. However, Bisleri's internal quality assurance, including over 114 specific tests conducted during manufacturing, aims to ensure consistent product safety. This commitment to quality and transparency about their process, which is detailed on the company's own site, provides reassurance for consumers seeking reliable information.
The Verdict on Bisleri's Chemical Content
In conclusion, Bisleri water does contain chemicals, but this statement requires crucial clarification. The chemicals found in Bisleri water are not harmful contaminants but rather beneficial minerals like potassium and magnesium, which are intentionally added after a thorough purification process. The multi-stage purification, including ozonization and reverse osmosis, is designed specifically to remove harmful chemicals, bacteria, and microbes, making the water safe for consumption. Concerns about chemical leaching from the plastic bottle are a general issue with bottled water, but Bisleri’s manufacturing processes are designed to minimize this risk. For consumers, Bisleri offers a purified, mineral-enriched product that is a safe and trusted hydration option. The distinction between naturally occurring and purposefully added elements is key to understanding the full picture of what is inside a Bisleri bottle.
