When bottled water tastes bad, do you still drink it?

Lindsay · Nov 3rd, 2009, 13:47

Hey all,

So, I started ordering those 20L bottles of Bisleri for drinking water. All was good until today, when the shop delivered a bottle that tastes really... gross. Like the plastic has leached into it? Or like it's musty. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had this experience; googling shows it to be pretty common.

But what I couldn't figure out was, Does the taste mean it's not safe to drink? (I hope not; I just swallowed a glass because I was desperately thirsty. But better to learn after one glass, than ten!)

And is this something I should call the store to complain about/demand a replacement bottle? Or is it not in their control?

Nick-H · Nov 3rd, 2009, 14:14

Yes, I would call the store and get a new one.

Whether they are able to refund is another matter, and, as it was sealed (I hope) when it arrived with them, I wouldn't hold them responsible; it is a relatively small amount of money.

If the event repeats itself, change stores --- or change brand.

By the way... always have two bottles. That way, you never run out of drinking water!

Lindsay · Nov 3rd, 2009, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

By the way... always have two bottles. That way, you never run out of drinking water!

Very good advice, no doubt of it!

I decided to order another from a store closer to my house. The owner actually showed me his receipt for a delivery from the Bisleri distributor this morning, so at least I am 100% sure that this one is safe. As far as how it tastes -- well, I picked up some Tang, just in case!

Thanks for the reply.

jituyadav · Nov 3rd, 2009, 16:33

Did the bottle seem new? Although it should not happen with a brand like bisleri, but sometimes new bottles leave such a taste, no matter how illogical it may sound.

Nick-H · Nov 3rd, 2009, 16:58

When she says "bottle", she means can, jituyadav.

Quote:

Did the bottle seem new?

The 20-litre cans are recycled and re-used many times, which is part of their advantage. Maybe some of the big name (ie pepsi- and coca- owned companies) only use new-looking ones, I don't know (was buying much cheaper brands for a long time) but scratching and scuffing on the outside of the bottle does not necessarily mean anything is wrong with the contents.

jituyadav · Nov 3rd, 2009, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

When she says "bottle", she means can, jituyadav.The 20-litre cans are recycled and re-used many times, which is part of their advantage

Yes, I know she meant 'can' Nick

. And yes, they are recycled, I know that too. However, they also get their quota of new cans on regular basis (growth of clients you see). I was referring to such a situation, that a bottle that has been filled and delivered for the first time might get this kind of taste.

Nick-H · Nov 3rd, 2009, 17:19

Quote:

And yes, they are recycled, I know that too

I tried to put it in such a way that that informative for non-residents, but recognising that you, as a resident, would know all about it.

I failed!

jituyadav · Nov 3rd, 2009, 17:34

Some confusion is there but what and at whose end, that is not clear. Anyway, I hope OP has the answer she was looking for from whatever source it may be. As for confusion, I will take it on me, as I am a confused personality by birth

Nick-H · Nov 3rd, 2009, 18:26

Nope... I am more confused!!!! Since even before birth!!!!!!!

Anyway, as you say, Lindsay's water matter more than our confusion

Hemmie · Nov 4th, 2009, 15:58

We use 25L Aquafina bottles, and we do sometimes notices a slight difference in taste. But it's never been really bad, so we always just drank it. If it tastes really bad I wouldn't drink it, just buy a new one, just to be safe. As Mike said, it's not that much money.

Lindsay · Nov 4th, 2009, 16:24

Yeah, I bought a new one and it tastes fine. But Jituyadev, I think you're onto something there -- the bottle/can did look really new. So perhaps the flavor of the new plastic had leeched into the water, or something?

Regardless, it tasted awful, and the replacement tastes delicious. So, in future, for anyone browsing this topic: your water's probably fine, but don't be silly and hesitate to get another one, like I did. What's seventy extra rupees against having water that you actually want to drink? Just get another can. Or bottle. LOL!

Dacoit Chief · Nov 4th, 2009, 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay

What's seventy extra rupees against having water that you actually want to drink?

Wow is that how much those cost then? For me, they are a relatively recent addition to India and I suppose are confined to bigger cities, but I really had no idea how much they actually cost!

Having said that, I really can't figure out whether I am thinking that is very expensive or very cheap! I will join Nick and fall into that category of "confused before birth!"

I know 70 bucks is always a small price to pay for peace of mind and good health but then I am a bit of a camel and drink a looot of water!

rsk11584 · Nov 4th, 2009, 21:06

Here we get the same water 20 litre can for 20 Rs, and around 4 houses away from my home is the water dealer having his tempo and goes on off to company to fill water in cans, obviously the cans are recycled, and the water which I buy is from local company. But it tastes good. And the cans which I get have local names like aquasure, birth etc, and have their MRP as 40, so obviously in chennai in some posh areas the same cans must be sold at 40Rs, or 35 Rs, or 25 Rs,.. But here in chennai local water is sold at around 20 - 25 rs and bisleri at 60 Rs.

Since you are buying BISLERI , you can get it replaced free of cost from your retailer / seller, just call the seller and ask him to get you another can, and return the can with the water to the retailer, and ask him to return the can to bisleri distributors, this so called loss of the can is to be borne by bisleri company. Even though it is a small amount 70Rs, I dont know for how many people 70Rs is a small amount, still as a customer you have full rights for refund if you are not getting quality, then be it 70Rs product or 1 Re product. If you carefully look the bisleri can, you are sure to find their customer care department phone number, or complaint cell phone number, the number which they mention if you want to complain, suggest etc, etc kindly contact this number, usually a toll free number, just call and complain and you will direct get replacement from bisleri distributor.

Cheers

Dont leave such things, thinking it is petty amount

JAGO GRAHAK JAGO

Nick-H · Nov 4th, 2009, 22:15

Actually, Rs70 seems a ridiculous amount to pay. We too, were paying only RS20 for a local supply, before we got our purifier. Even back in the old place, we paid only 40.

Ask the neighbours what they buy, and follow their recommendation.

crvlvr · Nov 5th, 2009, 03:54

As a side note, much of the bottle water in India is not potable. Get it tested before you stick to a brand.

Nov 3rd, 2009, 13:47	#1
Lindsay Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 71	When bottled water tastes bad, do you still drink it? Hey all, So, I started ordering those 20L bottles of Bisleri for drinking water. All was good until today, when the shop delivered a bottle that tastes really... gross. Like the plastic has leached into it? Or like it's musty. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had this experience; googling shows it to be pretty common. But what I couldn't figure out was, Does the taste mean it's not safe to drink? (I hope not; I just swallowed a glass because I was desperately thirsty. But better to learn after one glass, than ten!) And is this something I should call the store to complain about/demand a replacement bottle? Or is it not in their control?

Nov 3rd, 2009, 16:33	#4
jituyadav Humble servant of the self Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 613	Did the bottle seem new? Although it should not happen with a brand like bisleri, but sometimes new bottles leave such a taste, no matter how illogical it may sound. __________________ I started with nothing and I still have most of it!

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Nov 3rd, 2009, 14:14	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,189	Yes, I would call the store and get a new one. Whether they are able to refund is another matter, and, as it was sealed (I hope) when it arrived with them, I wouldn't hold them responsible; it is a relatively small amount of money. If the event repeats itself, change stores --- or change brand. By the way... always have two bottles. That way, you never run out of drinking water!

Nov 3rd, 2009, 17:34	#8
jituyadav Humble servant of the self Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 613	Some confusion is there but what and at whose end, that is not clear. Anyway, I hope OP has the answer she was looking for from whatever source it may be. As for confusion, I will take it on me, as I am a confused personality by birth

Nov 3rd, 2009, 18:26	#9
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,189	Nope... I am more confused!!!! Since even before birth!!!!!!! Anyway, as you say, Lindsay's water matter more than our confusion

Nov 4th, 2009, 15:58	#10
Hemmie Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 69	We use 25L Aquafina bottles, and we do sometimes notices a slight difference in taste. But it's never been really bad, so we always just drank it. If it tastes really bad I wouldn't drink it, just buy a new one, just to be safe. As Mike said, it's not that much money.

Nov 4th, 2009, 16:24	#11
Lindsay Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 71	Yeah, I bought a new one and it tastes fine. But Jituyadev, I think you're onto something there -- the bottle/can did look really new. So perhaps the flavor of the new plastic had leeched into the water, or something? Regardless, it tasted awful, and the replacement tastes delicious. So, in future, for anyone browsing this topic: your water's probably fine, but don't be silly and hesitate to get another one, like I did. What's seventy extra rupees against having water that you actually want to drink? Just get another can. Or bottle. LOL!

Nov 4th, 2009, 21:06	#13
rsk11584 CBCID ;-) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: then Aurangabad / now Chennai Posts: 263	Here we get the same water 20 litre can for 20 Rs, and around 4 houses away from my home is the water dealer having his tempo and goes on off to company to fill water in cans, obviously the cans are recycled, and the water which I buy is from local company. But it tastes good. And the cans which I get have local names like aquasure, birth etc, and have their MRP as 40, so obviously in chennai in some posh areas the same cans must be sold at 40Rs, or 35 Rs, or 25 Rs,.. But here in chennai local water is sold at around 20 - 25 rs and bisleri at 60 Rs. Since you are buying BISLERI , you can get it replaced free of cost from your retailer / seller, just call the seller and ask him to get you another can, and return the can with the water to the retailer, and ask him to return the can to bisleri distributors, this so called loss of the can is to be borne by bisleri company. Even though it is a small amount 70Rs, I dont know for how many people 70Rs is a small amount, still as a customer you have full rights for refund if you are not getting quality, then be it 70Rs product or 1 Re product. If you carefully look the bisleri can, you are sure to find their customer care department phone number, or complaint cell phone number, the number which they mention if you want to complain, suggest etc, etc kindly contact this number, usually a toll free number, just call and complain and you will direct get replacement from bisleri distributor. Cheers Dont leave such things, thinking it is petty amount JAGO GRAHAK JAGO

Nov 4th, 2009, 22:15	#14
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,189	Actually, Rs70 seems a ridiculous amount to pay. We too, were paying only RS20 for a local supply, before we got our purifier. Even back in the old place, we paid only 40. Ask the neighbours what they buy, and follow their recommendation.

Nov 5th, 2009, 03:54	#15
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,667	As a side note, much of the bottle water in India is not potable. Get it tested before you stick to a brand.