ISLAMABAD (APP) - Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) declared 16 out of 69 brands of bottled water unsafe though a large crosssection of citizens was using bottled water due to poor quality of water. Out of these 69, 53 were declared safe. Besides this, number of chemically safe brands was 55 and number of chemically unsafe brands was 14. Due to low quality of water, mushroom growth of bottled water industry in the country is witnessed during the last few years. However, many of the mineral water companies were found selling contaminated water. Besides this, number of microbiologically safe brands was 67 while number of microbiologically unsafe brands was 2. According to official data, the brands which are continuously being sold in market are 35 while the brands which disappeared from market due to contamination are 16 and the number of brands which are available in market with new name is 34. According to officials in PCRWR, drinking water quality is deteriorating continuously due to biological contamination from human waste, chemical pollutants from industries and agricultural inputs. Piped water also gets contaminated because pipes are laid very close to sewerage lines or open drains and cause many serious water borne diseases. It was found that 45pc of infant deaths have been attributed to diarrhea and about 60pc to overall infectious waterborne diseases in Pakistan. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 25 30pc of the diseases are gastro intestinal in nature. The survey was conducted in 16 cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, D.G Khan, Multan, Sargodha, Sialkot, Sahiwal, Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi, Nawabshah, These samples were collected by the senior staff members of head office and regional offices of PCRWR from January March, 2011. A set of four bottles of each brand was collected and sealed on site.Identification codes were also allotted to all the brands according to PCRWR Bottled Water Classification System. Brands declared safe by PCRWR were Nestle ,Kinely, Aquafina Springley, Well O, Natural Excellent, Kisan (Better Life), Minra, Khaleej,Aqua RO, Premier, Blu Water, Sufi, Avisa, Aqua Feen,Legend, Aqua Habib, Selina, Vital,Clear,Hydra, Life,Pak zam zam, Spring Fresh , Vey, Sun Lay, Jel, Marjan, Aqua Vie, Liza, A ONE, Tahoor, Aqua Hygienic,First Water, Ab e Hayat, Hydropsy,Kerry, Via,Neble, Khyber Aqua, Natural Aqua, Sparklet,Nectar, Splash Dew, Good Ly, Khush Abb, Gourmet,Morning Mist,Aqua Save and Al Shalal. Furthermore, Isberg, Eco Water, Aqua One were also found safe.