BIS Standards for Drinking Water: A Complete Guide

Drinking water plays a vital role in our daily lives, and maintaining its safety and quality is crucial for public health. In India, the BIS standards for drinking water provide guidelines to ensure that water is free from harmful contaminants and meets the required safety levels. For businesses, adhering to these standards is vital not only for safeguarding consumer health but also for maintaining market credibility.

Failure to comply with BIS standards in India could result in severe consequences such as fines, product seizures, and a loss of consumer trust. The BIS certification process helps businesses navigate these requirements and ensure they meet safety regulations.

What are the BIS Standards for Drinking Water?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has established specific BIS standards for drinking water to ensure its safety for consumption. These standards are derived from IS 10500, a code of practice that outlines the quality requirements for potable water. The BIS standards for packaged drinking water set limits on various parameters such as microbiological quality, chemical composition, and physical properties to ensure that water is safe for human use.

The BIS standards process specifies the permissible levels for essential minerals, toxic chemicals, and microorganisms in drinking water. Additionally, BIS standards in India recommend testing for factors like clarity, odor, taste, and other characteristics that can affect water quality. The primary goal of these standards is to ensure drinking water is free from harmful substances and pathogens that could pose health risks.

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Key Parameters for BIS Certification for Drinking Water

BIS has laid down several important parameters that drinking water must meet to be certified as safe for consumption. These include:

1. Microbiological Quality

Drinking water must be free from harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, which can lead to waterborne diseases. The maximum permissible limit for coliforms and fecal coliforms is zero, in accordance with BIS standards for drinking water.

2. Physical Properties

The water should be clear, colorless, and free from any suspended particles. It should not have an unpleasant odor or taste, and the temperature should be within the permissible limits, in compliance with BIS standards in India.

3. TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)

TDS levels should not exceed 500 mg/L, as high TDS levels can affect the taste and suitability of water for consumption, following the BIS standards process.

4. Heavy Metals and Toxic Substances

Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium must not exceed their permissible limits, as they pose serious health risks even in small amounts, as per BIS standards in India.

5. Chemical Composition

The water should contain essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and fluoride within permissible limits. Excessive amounts of chemicals such as nitrates, arsenic, lead, and mercury can be harmful to health, as outlined by the BIS standards for drinking water.

How to Get a BIS License for Packaged Drinking Water?

The process of obtaining BIS certification for drinking water involves multiple stages to ensure the product complies with all quality and safety standards. Here is a brief overview of the steps involved:

1. Application Submission

The first step involves applying to BIS, along with all the necessary documentation regarding your product. This includes details about your manufacturing process, water source, and quality assurance measures in place, ensuring compliance with BIS standards for drinking water.

2. Product Testing

BIS-approved laboratories test samples of the drinking water to check for various parameters such as microbiological contamination, physical properties, and chemical composition. These tests ensure that the water meets all the specified BIS standards for drinking water.

3. Factory Inspection

BIS conducts an inspection of the manufacturing facility to assess its adherence to proper hygiene standards and quality control processes. This is crucial to ensure that the water is consistently safe for consumption, following the BIS standards process.

4. Granting BIS Certification

Once the product passes the testing and inspection phases, BIS grants the certification, allowing the use of the ISI mark on the product. This certifies that the drinking water is safe and compliant with BIS standards in India.

Understand the other nuances involved in obtaining the BIS certification license for packaged water for a smooth application. It’s advisable to talk to experts for better navigation.

Importance of BIS Certification for Drinking Water

BIS certification for drinking water ensures compliance with safety and quality standards, safeguarding public health and enhancing consumer trust, as follows:

1. Consumer Safety

Ensures that drinking water meets health and safety standards, protecting consumers from contaminants, harmful chemicals, and waterborne diseases, in line with BIS standards for drinking water.

2. Legal Adherence

Helps businesses comply with government regulations, making BIS certification mandatory for packaged drinking water manufacturers and municipal suppliers, ensuring adherence to BIS standards in India.

3. Market Growth

Enables businesses to expand in the market, secure tenders, and gain approvals for distribution in retail and institutional sectors, following the BIS standards process.

4. Brand Credibility

Enhances consumer confidence and trust, as BIS certification signifies quality assurance and adherence to national standards.

RegisterKaro offers expert support for BIS certification for drinking water. We’ll help you navigate the process efficiently. Get started today to ensure your products meet industry standards!

BIS Certification Cost For Packaged Drinking Water

When applying for BIS certification for Packaged Drinking Water (other than natural mineral water) under IS 14543, the total cost depends on several components. Below are typical fees, cost drivers, and estimated ranges:

Manufacturer Type	Cost Range (India)	Notes
Domestic manufacturer (small-medium scale)	₹ 50,000 to ₹ 1,00,000+	Marking fee for large production, more units = higher marking fees. Higher testing/inspection complexity.
Larger scale / high unit production	Could exceed ₹ 1,00,000	USD-denominated fees + travel/audit + marking, etc.
Foreign manufacturer under FMCS / International units	USD-denominated fees + travel / audit + marking, etc.	Varies significantly depending on the country, travel and audit costs, and logistic overheads.

The fees for different product licenses vary depending on categories, validity, laboratories, and other aspects. It’s best to check out a detailed analysis from the blog: BIS Certification Fees.

Final Note

In summary, BIS standards for drinking water ensure the safety, quality, and reliability of water products in India. Obtaining BIS certification for drinking water not only guarantees consumer safety but also enhances your brand’s credibility in the marketplace. By following the necessary steps, including product testing, factory inspections, and document submission, you can achieve BIS certification and gain access to the Indian market, in compliance with BIS standards in India.

Obtaining BIS certification for drinking water is not just a regulatory requirement but a significant step toward ensuring consumer trust and product safety. By adhering to the BIS standards process, businesses can enhance their brand reputation, avoid legal complications, and open doors to new market opportunities.

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Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs)

1. What is IS 10500:2012?

IS 10500:2012 is the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specification for drinking water quality in India. It sets permissible and desirable limits for various physical, chemical, and bacteriological parameters to ensure water safety.

2. Is IS 10500:2012 mandatory for drinking water suppliers?

Yes, IS 10500:2012 is mandatory for packaged drinking water suppliers, municipal water suppliers, and other entities providing potable water under regulatory norms.

3. What are the key parameters covered under IS 10500:2012?

The standard covers:

• Physical parameters: Color, odor, turbidity, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS)
• Chemical parameters: Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.), fluoride, nitrate, and iron
• Bacteriological parameters: E. coli, total coliform bacteria
• Pesticide and radiological limits

4. What is the acceptable pH range for drinking water as per IS 10500?

Under IS 10500 (2012), the permissible pH range for safe drinking water is 6.5 to 8.5. There is no relaxation allowed beyond this range.

5. What is the permissible limit of TDS in drinking water?

As per IS 10500 (2012):

• In the absence of an alternate source, the permissible upper limit is 2000 mg/L
• The desirable (acceptable) limit for TDS is 500 mg/L.

6. How often should water be tested as per BIS guidelines?

• Municipal water suppliers: Regular testing as per BIS standards.
• Packaged drinking water manufacturers: Periodic quality testing is mandatory.
• Households: At least once a year, especially if using a borewell or stored water.

7. What is the BIS standard for packaged drinking water?

The applicable standard is IS 14543:2016, which covers water quality, packaging, labeling, and testing parameters for packaged drinking water (excluding natural mineral water).

8. Is BIS certification mandatory for packaged drinking water in India?

Until a recent regulatory shift, BIS certification was mandatory for packaged drinking water. However, with recent amendments, BIS is no longer strictly mandatory for packaged drinking water — instead, FSSAI has reclassified these products as “high-risk food.” Manufacturers must comply with food safety audits, inspections, and licensing through FSSAI.

9. How much does BIS certification cost for a mineral water / packaged drinking water plant?

Costs include:

• Marking/labeling charges
  (These are indicative and depend on scale, location, and product type.)
• Application/licence fee (~ ₹1,000)
• Inspection/audit fees (~ ₹7,000)
• Sample testing fees (vary by lab & parameters)

10. What tests are required under BIS for drinking water?

The product must satisfy chemical, physical, and microbiological parameters. Tests include pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), heavy metals (lead, arsenic, etc.), microbial load, odor, taste, etc.