KOZHIKODE: Intense summer heat has led to a staggering daily sale of bottled water worth Rs 2 crore. During the period from the last week of December to February, an average of 13 lakh liters of bottled water was sold per day, marking a significant increase from the previous average of seven lakh liters.

Sales are expected to continue rising in the months leading up to May, driven by increasing temperatures. Big companies, the state government and small entrepreneurs are actively bringing bottled water to the market, with a noticeable uptick in the use of 20-liter jars in various districts such as Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Thrissur.

Annual sales of bottled water in Kerala amount to Rs. 300 crores, with various price ranges depending on the quantity, ranging from Rs. 20 for 1 liter to Rs 110-150 for 5 liters. Despite the demand, only 240 authorized units exist, facing challenges from fake and unlicensed sellers.

'Hilly Aqua,' produced by the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC), has seen a significant increase in production to meet demand. With daily production now at 78,000 liters compared to the previous 40,000 liters, the brand generates an additional income of Rs. 1 crore. Priced at Rs. 15 per liter, 'Hilly Aqua' anticipates further sales growth as temperatures rise.

Vipin Parameswaran, State Secretary of the Kerala Bottled Water Manufacturers Association (KBWA), emphasized the likelihood of sales continuing to increase with the rising temperature.