Major brands have hiked the price by a minimum of ₹10 per container.

| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

Packaged drinking water — both bubble-top containers and bottles — has become costlier across the State, with manufacturers citing rising raw material costs amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Prices are expected to rise further in the coming weeks if input costs continue to climb.The increase in cost of packaged drinking water, now an essential commodity, is set to further strain household budgets.A. Shakespeare, founder-president, Greater Tamil Nadu Packaged Drinking Water Manufacturers Association, said the cost of the petroleum-derived raw materials and plastic packaging like caps has increased by 60% recently.The cost of a 20-litre capacity bubble-top containers has been increased by ₹5 to offset rising input cost. Major brands have hiked the price by a minimum of ₹10 per container. A 20-litre capacity bubbletop is priced between ₹35 and ₹50. Though production has dipped by 20%, it has not yet impacted the market as demand typically peaks from mid-April, he said.On an average, nearly three crore litres of packaged drinking water are sold across the State everyday. Of this, Chennai and neighbouring areas account for nearly 1.5 crore litres. There are nearly 1,486 manufacturers operating across the State.E. Saravanan, the association’s general secretary said the cost of raw materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) used in bottles and bubbletops, has seen a sharp spike. This has had a cascading effect on packaging components like bottles and caps.For instance, the cost of each cap used in bottles has increased from about 10 paise to 30 paise or 40 paise now. Similarly, bubbletop container, which was priced at ₹110, now costs ₹175.Manufacturers have raised the price of bottled water, with the cost of one-litre bottle revised up to ₹25. Further increases are expected if there is a revision in fuel prices, Mr. Saravanan said.Residents noted that bottled water is often sold above the MRP, particularly at railway stations. Consumer activist T. Sadagopan called for stricter price regulation and installation of free drinking water dispensers in public places. Published - March 24, 2026 04:30 am IST