Civilizations evolved on the banks of river valleys because water is the first need for survival of human beings. Cattle to trees and virtually all the living creatures on this globe need water in some form to survive. Our ancestors might have thought and imagined about any impossible face of the modern world other than to buy water for drinking. But friends it is a poignant fact that we happily buy different brands of packaged water and show our trust in quality of water we exchange for money. In this review I would be sharing some of the consumers and my trust for Coca-Cola?s packaged water ?Kinley? but I would like to share some of the burning issues too about the aqua bank and hydrology of our mother earth, that as a responsible human being we must know.
Global need of fresh water:
Lithosphere of our globe contains 70.90% of ocean and 29.10% of land. Respectively the hydrosphere contains 1460, 000 cubic Km of water. Out of this total water reservoir only 2.70% is fresh water. From this percentage the calculated fresh water volume comes as 39, 420 cubic Km. Converting it to cubic metre and then in Litres, the total fresh water volume for world population of 6890 million comes to 39420000000 million Litres. This indicates that if per person need of fresh water is calculated on the basis of only 100 litre per day then total water reservoir will last for only 156 years. Amazed! Why does this small quantity of fresh water seem to be endless? Because it is re-circulated and total stock of Ocean water and fresh water is almost constant throughout the geological history. Just think! when there would be a time to struggle hard to get a drop of fresh water.
This is not merely a hypothetical case but another bitter fact of changing ratio of ocean water and fresh water. You might ask that why the ratio changes of Salty water and fresh water. This all depends on climatic conditions. If climate is very cold then fresh water volume rises when glaciers and mountain caps absorb water. Salty water increases when temperature rises that we know as global warming. Therefore we should bear in our mind that though total volume of water would be same forever but changed ratio of ocean and fresh water will change the face of our planet.
Packaged drinking water; a need of modern world:
Fresh water other than geo reservoir is always re-circulated and in event of use, gets contaminated. This contamination may be in the form of microorganisms, metallic traces, dirt, silt, slush, slug, molecular residues, bacteria, industrial waste and impurities. In ancient days no purification of water was required because perennial pure water sources were available in plenty. Recurrence of contamination was less with respect to very small population but everything has changed with time. Now we can not imagine drinking water without purification. High risks of waterborne diseases are modern world?s nightmare.
There is no way other than to manage our precious water resource in respective parts of globe. This may be done in form of water conservation policies, rain harvesting, stringent laws for keeping the potable water safe and finally the awareness. One might think that what it all to do with packaged water? Packaged water is also a kind of water management where a company suitably selects the place of processing plant and reservoir of water. Of course it is not a kind of water management that is done voluntarily. Basic purpose of manufacturing of packaged water is to make profit in the business. But indirectly it helps us to stop misuse of water. Perhaps no body will try to waste a single drop of water if it is bought after paying US$0.22 for a litre. Though the motive behind buying packaged water is to enjoy safe and pure drinking water.
Market of Packaged drinking water & Kinley:
Market of packaged water is roaring up to a tone of US$100 million in India and would get doubled in next five years. Why Kinley the brand name of Coca Cola is the most trusted health plank among all the three major players of this industry i.e. Pepsi, Bisleri and Coca Cola. Probably the answer lies in the stringent quality control process of Coca-Cola and its concern towards taste and purity of drinking water.
Excellent assembly line of Process:
One: Potability quality standard of source water is checked prior to use and it?s processing. It is tasted for potable drinking water quality. It is tested periodically if selected for use. All the tastes are done with third party testing laboratories. Source water is protected and observed to avoid any contamination.
Two: Source of water id disinfected from microorganisms and metal ions by Clorination.
Three: Molecular filtration is done by one of the methods of either reverse osmosis or coagulation.
Four: Multi media filtration is done. Water is conveyed through different media to catch any impurity.
Five: Water is purified through granular carbon filters. Here organic traces are removed.
Six: Water is passed through high efficiency 5-micron metre filters to trap any activated carbon particles.
Seven: Minerals are added to enhance the taste and to comply with the optimum mineral needs of drinking water.
Eight: Water is filled and packed in sterilized plastic bottles.
Composition and Taste:
Only Kinley ensures to provide minerals in packaged water. This is the reason why does taste of this brand never alter. Consistency in the taste and composition makes Kinley the most favored brand among all available drinking water brands. Kinley meets the Indian standard of drinking water IS 14543.
Locations of Processing in India:
To maintain the consistency of quality Coca-Cola has selected three green field-manufacturing plants located at Bidadi near Bangalore, Dasna in UP and plants in Goa and Maharashtra.
Benefits over other brands:
Treated water with mineral is an advantage when you consume Kinley because other brands do not give you minerals in treated water. Less number of manufacturing plants always insure quality of treated water and consistency of source. One can witness the variation in taste of other brands and sometimes-bitter taste too. Coca-Cola has a strong international audit system to monitor compliance to international and local standards. manufacturing facilities get audited against quality management standards.
But out of stock:
Oops! You requested for a bottle of Kinley but shopkeeper shrugs saying ?Out of stock?. It is not astonishing. As a matter of fact because of its limited plant there is a scarcity of Kinley in the market. 80% of outlets in your area might be full of other brands.
Dont worry! Kinley is expanding its base:
But don?t be anxious Kinley is expanding its business horizon and would available whenever you will request. So enjoy Kinley be healthy and save water...
©Dhyanendra M Tripathi 2004