Feb 18, Kathmandu-  Claiming premium in price and quality, the processed water supply Aqua Hundred has failed laboratory testing. According to the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Aqua Hundred brand water produced from Balaju Industrial Area has been found to be contaminated in laboratory tests.

Department spokesperson Mohan Krishna said that the quality of water sold by the industry has been found to be injurious to human health. “A case has been registered in the Kathmandu District Court against the contamination parameter of Aqua Hundred Water which has a long-term impact on human health,” said department spokesperson Marhajan.

According to the department, a case has been registered against the industry for finding a fine of Rs 50,000 or imprisonment up to three years and both injurious to human health. Marjahan said the department had registered five cases against 38 industries for water supply in the first six months of the current financial year, one of which was Aqua Hundred.

As a premium brand, Aqua sells almost four times more water than normal water in the market. The per-person price of Aqua Hundred Water is Rs 135 and the deposit amount for the jar is Rs 1,000. According to the company, the cost of a liter of bottled water is around Rs 50, while the consumer price of half a liter of bottled water is Rs 27.

Along with Aqua, the department has also registered a case against Jai Chuma Ganesh Pure Drinking Water Company Bhaktapur, Aqua Nepal Bilsherry Processed Drinking Water Industry Rupandehi, Aqua Active Beverages Biratnagar.