Fssai, the Food Business Regulator in India, has posted a draft regulation ( as per FNB News ) that water produced through Water Vending Machines will be subject to tests as per Fssai guidelines.
Draft Requirements for Standards
Physical Parameters: 6
General Parameters: 24
Toxic Substances: 11 parameters
Radioactive Residues: 3 parameters
Microbiological Requirements: 2 parameters
Pesticide Residues: 18 parameters
We are waiting for the final news to roll-out. When it's there, you can have it. It's still not known, as to :-
- Where will these be tested ? In-house at the ATM, or outside lab
- How frequently the tests need to be in place.
- Who will be the inspecting authority
Usually under Fssai, if its not under "High Risk", it calls for annual audits.
This is a different category to be rolled out soon, under 2.10.9 ( At present it ends at 2.10.8. It's interesting to see how this Vending Machine ( Water ATM Water ) will be categorized as :-
FSSAI explains that “water vending machine” means decentralised water purification systems that purify and dispense water and does not include installation intended for use of water for captive consumption. ( FNB News )
Usually Water ATM water uses either municipal water or whatever supplied to it. Although there is an in-built ( usually ) RO system, there as no norm present to check the outlet water. Now it might be in-place.
Good News for consumers
Consumers will have a better trust in drinking water from such a system and if it's implemented well by the govt, this can be an excellent tool to beat plastic pollution.
What is a Water Vending Machine/ATM ?
This is a machine which filters water, and dispenses through a tap, in predetermined, mesured quantity into any container placed below. They can be card/coin driven. Water ATM is a very good Business Model.
