Abstract
The samples of six (06) bottled mineral water were collected from the local market of Peshawar in 2016. These samples were assessed for their mineral contents, alkalinity, heavy metals, conductivity, pH, Total Dissolved Salts, total hardness, Ca hardness, Mg hardness, Ca ions, Mg ions and HCO3 ions to confirm their quality assurance and suitability for human consumption. The results were compared with the labeled values and WHO standards. Almost all samples contained minerals within the recommended range of WHO, although varied from the level shown on the label. Among the different minerals present in water samples, the amount of sulfur was highest (81.950 mg mL(-1)) followed by Cl- (43.392 mg mL(-1)), Na (14.552 mg mL(-1)), K (2.000 mg mL(-1)), and F (0.315 mg mL(-1)). Total hardness was in the range of 64 to 440 mg Ca and Mg hardness was 16-100 mg mL(-1) and 36-400 mg mL(-1) respectively. Average value of pH in different samples was found 7.54 while conductivity and total alkalinity were 458.286 mu s cm(-1) and 181.440 mg mL(-1) respectively. Nitrate was absent in all samples, while the TDS value of some samples was more than 400 mg Among heavy metals Pb and Cd were found in the range of 0.001 to 0.040 mg mL(-1). Ca++, Mg++ and HCO3- ions were in the range of 0 to 40, 8.64 to 96 and 9.5648 to 251.076 mg mL(-1) respectively. Despite the fact that variation was observed in results and labeled values, the physicochemical findings are encouraging and showed that the samples collected in the form of bottled mineral water were fit for drinking purposes. However a workable monitoring system should be established in the country to evaluate the quality of drinking water routinely to reduce the consequences of water borne diseases and protect the consumer's health and welfare.