Several bottled water-producing companies are in the limelight for failing to abide by bromide quantities specified in Gulf standards and specifications.

“Tap water is sometimes better than bottled water because local water does not contain dangerously high levels of harmful chemicals that exist in bottled water,” said Radwan Al-Rasheed, a water desalination expert.

“In theory, bottled water is supposed to be better because of the minerals it contains, but there is an important distinction from a scientific point of view,” he said. “Tap water remains safer to drink as long as local water networks do not contain breakages and water tanks are

clean.”

“Tests conducted on mice show that water containing more potassium bromide than internationally recommended can have a negative impact on the vital organs over a period of two years and can potentially lead to kidney and liver failure, cancer and problems in the nervous system, according to the World Health Organization,” he said.

In fact, ingesting large amounts of this substance can create symptoms akin to being poisoned, such as vomiting, stomach ache and diarrhea, he said.

There have, however, not been any tests conducted on the effects of drinking water with lower levels of bromide, he said.

International standards and the WHO have defined the maximum levels of bromide, a chemical used in the sterilization process, as 10 mcg per liter.

Ozone (O3), in fact, can sterilize water more effectively because it is a strong oxidant that can kill many viruses, bacteria and fungus, he said.