Why it’s important to know the source of your drinking water

MANILA, Philippines — Safe drinking water is easily accessible from our homes and offices but outside of these walls, the water we could be drinking may have come from unsafe sources.

This is especially true to outdoor enthusiasts such as triathlon coach Julian Valencia and mountaineer Rey Anthony Batallones.

Valencia, a veteran triathlete who now coaches, has had experiences of drinking contaminated water during past competitions. This has left him with an upset stomach during a race he has physically and mentally trained for so long, ruining his chances of winning or even just finishing.

For his part, Batallones, a mountaineer, is used to getting water from natural sources along the trail. But despite his years of experience in hiking, Battalones has encountered water unfit for drinking. Sometimes, there is just no water source leaving him dehydrated.

As such, the two stress the importance of knowing the source of your drinking water, and yes, even if it’s already bottled.

For the first time ever, a Filipino-owned company is introducing a product named after its source, the Banahaw Spring Purified Water.

“Today, we are sharing with you a purified water product harnessed from sustainable natural sources and bottled with care to ensure you get only safe and quality purified water we Filipinos can be proud of,” said Thor Jourdan Mutuc, business development manager at Philippine Bottling Beverage, or PBB.

PBB, a new player in the purified water and non-carbonated drinks industry, launched Banahaw Spring Purified Water last April 16 at Manila House Private Club in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

According to Mutuc, it took the company three years of research and testing before finally releasing the product in the market. This was crucial in preserving its source, Mt. Banahaw, which also serves as watershed for the provinces of Laguna and Quezon. The water from this vast mountain area is used for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes.

“Water sustainability is the most significant aspect of our business. Beyond careful usage of water, we are putting in place measures that are geared towards protecting forests that nurture groundwater and contribute to the healthy circulation of water in nature,” Mutuc explained.

Besides compliance with environmental standards in its operation, PBB also brought one of the latest European technologies to ensure that the production process upholds international standards and quality.

Its production facility located at the foot of Mt. Banahaw in San Pablo, Laguna is fully automated and requires minimal human intervention. This preserves the essential, natural qualities of the water from the mountain.

Banahaw Spring Purified Water is available in 350ml, 500ml and one liter bottles. Aside from being free of Bisphenol A (BPA-free), each bottle is design-engineered to support core handgrip.

For more information about Banahaw Spring Purified Water, visit thepbb.com.