Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

Bottled water’s worldwide growth rate has been the envy of many investment sectors over the last decade. The expansion of this market was previously analyzed under consumer choice theories. However, in a growing number of countries where networked drinking water is compromised by low quality and poor regularity, bottled water has become the primary source of water for entire populations. Acknowledging this emerging reality the Joint Monitoring Programme for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WHO/UNICEF 2017) reported on the populations in 15 countries increasingly relying on packaged water as a source of safe drinking water.[1] In 2017, the JMP reclassified bottled water (and packaged water in general) as one of the ways in which populations can be categorized as having access to an improved source of water. In countries like Mexico, where network water reaches 95% of the population, but with significant impairments regarding quality, quantity and the frequency of service, this new reclassification may prove key in allowing the nation to achieve the SDG Target 6.1, without investing public funds in upgrading, maintaining or expanding water infrastructure. This paper will discuss the University of Geneva WATSIN Project’s ongoing research into this issue in Mexico where 73% of the population relies on bottled water for access to safe drinking water. The paper will focus on public policy implications and recommendations.

[1] WHO and UNICEF. (2017): Progress on Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: 2017 Update and SDG Baselines. Geneva: World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund, p14.