In Dominican Republicthe quality of drinking water supplied by the public network does not meet the necessary standards to be considered safe for human consumption. The bottling companies have led to a large industry, which reaches an average annual growth of 6.4% and more than 1.6 million pesos.
This reality has led the population to depend on private companies that are dedicated to the purification and distribution of bottled water as a reliable alternative. Julio Quezada, president of the Dominican Association of Purified Water Processors (Asoproagua), describes the local industry as “broad, dynamic and stable”, highlighting that it is constantly growing due to consumer distrust in the water supplied by the State.
According to data provided to Diario Libre by the Ministry of Public Health, some 194 bottling companies have health recordswith a strong emphasis on Saint Dominicwhere 60 are concentrated, and the National District and Santiago, both with 12.
80
It is the percentage of bottles sold in the small business market
100,000
It is the number of bottles of water that Planeta Azul sells every day.
However, the president of Asoproagua revealed that more than 2,000 companies operate nationwide, a number that greatly exceeds those registered in Public Health.
Millionaire collections
He Ministry of Industry and Commerce indicates that in the period 2019-2023 industry sales experienced a average growth 6.4% annually, going from RD$ 1,156 million in 2019 to 1,586 million in 2023. During the first six months of 2024, the accumulated amount amounted to 824 million.
It is also exported
During January-August of this year, exports of bottled water They presented a cumulative amount of 2.4 million dollars.
The main destination countries of these exports In the period 2021-2023 they were: USA (US$ 292,466), Puerto Rico (US$ 274,015), Turks and Caicos Islands (US$ 270,439), Panama (US$ 251,201) and Curacao (US$ 249,204).
Labor market
This industry generates approximately 1,126 formal jobs direct, according to data provided by Industry and Commerce.
In the period January-August 2024, the average contribution to employment was 921.
Distribution and sale
He bottled water can be purchased in almost all points of sale of the country, as filledsupermarkets, stores, restaurants, hotels and pharmacies, in presentations ranging from 16-ounce bottles to bottles five gallons. Prices vary depending on the brand and size, ranging between 15 and 90 pesos. The bottles have experienced sustained increases. In middle and upper class sectors of Saint Dominic They are already sold between 100 and 110 pesos.
In Saint Dominicthe traditional brands They are Crystal, Blue PlanetDasani, Alaska and Orbis. A curious fact shared by Quezada reveals that 80% of the water consumed in the capital is distributed by small companies. The three big brands (local) barely represent 12 or 13% of the market.
Blue Planetfor example, distributes approximately 100 thousand bottles and more than a million bottles a day, with a significant increase in sales during the summer, according to Diego Freire, general manager of the company.
Mineral vs. purified
The companies that dedicate themselves to this business They offer a variety of options to meet different consumer needs: plain, sparkling, flavored and alkaline mineral.
He purified water It is obtained through the reverse osmosis system, while, after this process, minerals are added to the mineral, reaching approximately 1,500 additional ppm. He mineral waterwhose bottle can reach the price of up to 200 pesos, is considered more nutritious and is generally available in hotels, restaurants and exclusive bottlers. The water that most companies use to purify and bottle the product comes from the Aqueduct Corporation and sewage Saint Dominic (CAASD) or, failing that, submersible wells.
Freire explains that only in emergency situations do they resort to wells to guarantee service to the population.
| Registered bottlers | |
|---|---|
| Province | Amount |
| Azua | 3 |
| Bahoruco | 2 |
| Barahona | 7 |
| Dajabón | 1 |
| National District | 12 |
| Duarte | 3 |
| The Seibo | 3 |
| Elias Piña | 1 |
| Espaillat | 3 |
| Greater Herd | 2 |
| Mirabal Sisters | 2 |
| Independence | 3 |
| Altagracia | 9 |
| The Roman | 6 |
| La Vega | 4 |
| Maria Trinidad Sanchez | 5 |
| Monsignor Nouel | 5 |
| Mount Silver | 6 |
| Flints | 3 |
| Peravia | 6 |
| Puerto Plata | 7 |
| Samana | 2 |
| Saint Christopher | 4 |
| San Francisco de Macoris | 3 |
| San Juan de la Maguana | 2 |
| San Pedro de Macoris | 11 |
| Santiago | 12 |
| Santiago Rodríguez | 2 |
| Saint Dominic | 60 |
| Valverde | 2 |
| Total sum | 194 |
Despite these regulations, it is common to see water bottles exposed directly to the sun at points of sale, especially in grocery stores. According to studies, high temperatures can affect water quality, releasing carcinogenic substances; putting the health of consumers at risk, since plastics exposed to the sun can release volatile organic compounds that are harmful to the liver, kidneys and nervous system. “Water for human beings is a factor of life or a factor of death,” says Edgar Castillo, vice president of the Latin American Bottled Water Association (LABWA), which operates in Canada. In response to this situation, on July 30, the bottling companies and their associations agreed with the National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumidor) a period of 90 days to cover or relocate the bottles exposed to the sun in the processing plants, during transportation and in stores. If this measure is not complied with within the established period, sanctions will be applied against violators, in accordance with Law No. 358-05 on Protection of Consumer or User Rights. The implementation of adequate control measures is essential to protect the health of consumers.
