AN ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF VARIOUS BOTTLED MINERAL WATER MARKED IN TIRANA (ALBANIA) DURING 2014

Due to the growing demand for bottled water a study was undertaken to determine the quality of different brands. The periodical analysis of bottled drinking water is very essential to ensure that the water is safe and can be consumed by humans. Seventeen brands of domestic bottles water (Alpin, Akull, Spring, Tepelena, Lajthiza, Kristal, Dukat, Fontana, Trebeshina, Selita, Qafshtama, Tirana, Kond, Acqua Panna, Acqua Vera, Evian, Vikos) were collected during the first semi quarter of the year 2014 from the supermarkets and food stores in Tirana city, Albania. The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of the concentration of minerals contents mentioned at the manufacturer labels of the different of different bottled drinking water. As well as to compare the chemical compositon of such bottled water with drinking water standard of EC and WHO. In conclusion, this study showed that the concentration of all analyzed elements in bottled water were within the WHO concentration guidelines and below the maximum contaminant levels (MCL) established by the US EPA, (2004).