Drinking water quality in Kabul: Consumer concerns, health oversight — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): Health officials say two water-supply companies in Kabul have been closed for failing to meet some required standards, while experts say being mineral or bottled water alone does not guarantee its safety and that water quality should be assessed through laboratory tests and compliance with health standards. Some Kabul residents have also expressed concerns about the quality of certain bottled water and water sold through three-wheelers. However, consumers’ experiences and claims alone cannot establish water contamination or determine the cause of an illness, and specialised testing is required to verify such cases. 70 major water-purification companies operating in country Qari Mohammad Asif Elias, spokesman for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC), said 70 major water-purification companies are currently operating across the country. He said figures for small factories that purify water and sell it through tankers or three-wheelers were not available. A source who did not want to be named also said most of these small factories operate without registration. Consumer concerns over bottled water quality Some Kabul residents have expressed concerns about the quality of certain bottled water and water sold through three-wheelers. However, such claims alone cannot establish water contamination or the cause of an illness, and specialised testing is required to verify them. Behishta Ahmadi, a Kabul resident, said she had noticed differences in…