Sharjah
I would like to bring an issue to the attention of the general public and concerned authorities. With temperatures in the UAE already reaching 40 degrees Celsius during the day, I am concerned about the five-gallon water bottles lying around in the sun. They are either full of water, waiting to reach their respective customers, or they are empty, waiting to be collected by the water companies.
In the summer months, our water consumption probably increases as we try to quench our thirst. Thus, drinking water companies would compete against each other to sell more water daily. In most of the residential areas in all emirates, we come across trucks delivering the five-gallon bottles of water, which are consumed mainly because of the cost advantage. But, I have noticed sometimes, the empty bottles are not handled properly.
A few days ago, in a residential area in Sharjah, many empty bottles were kept in an open area without any concern for hygiene. These bottles were lying there for hours until a vehicle came to pick them up.
Until then, dust contamination, cigarette butts from passersby or food wastage from children playing nearby, could have contaminated the bottles. The water bottle companies claim that they clean the bottles before filling them, but is it truly effective?
Such companies must come up with an effective and efficient solution for this issue. They could perhaps provide temporary light-weight caps to close the bottles before it is collected from customers. Also, residents could contribute from their end by retaining the old caps and putting them back on once the bottle is empty. This way, nothing can creep in through the bottle’s mouth.
The residential building authorities should provide sufficient and covered areas for storing the empty bottles temporarily. The same applies to bottles that are filled with water and left out in the sun. It could be dangerous for them to sit out in the heat. I request the concerned companies to take action and avoid such practices, to ensure the good health of their customers.
— The reader is based in Sharjah.
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FACTS:
Substances in bottles will leach out into the water, if you leave water-filled bottles in the sun, according to the Livestrong Foundation, a US-based nonprofit organisation. When it comes to reusing the bottles, after they have been sitting around in the sun, there is a possibility of bacterial growth in the bottle. In order to be reused, they need to be washed thoroughly to avoid the bacteria in the bottle from multiplying. If stored outdoors at temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius and above, there is a strong possibility that the polycarbonate material in the bottle will leach out and give a plastic taste to the water.
Leaving empty bottles open is also a concern. According to a Gulf News report published in September 2010, garbage around the bottles could attract flies, which carry germs that may lead to numerous sicknesses. Brushes used to clean and sweep the area could carry harmful pathogens, which could lead to typhoid fever, pneumonia, syphilis, cholera and even tuberculosis.
Residents are advised to wipe the bottle with a towel dipped in hot water before using it. The bottle could also be rinsed with tap water before inserting into the water dispenser.
