What it means to be water rich

I grew up in the Konkan, drinking water from a well that was filled by rainwater, filtered through the area's laterite aquifers and “fortified” by the leaves shed by the jackfruit tree above it. And then I moved to Pune, where I came across a cloudy, salty, heavy liquid that passed for water. The first time I returned home for the term break, I took a long draught and told my mother, “I have just not been able to quench my thirst in Pune.”

So I understand the varying tastes of water. I long for a glass of water from that well, laden with memories of an idyllic childhood. But I would still object to paying Rs 65 lakh for even that amount of time travel.

Apparently, some people would not mind forking out that cash for a litre of water. At least, Beverly Water would like you to think so.

The company, a purveyor of fine waters, is set to launch in India next year. Most mineral water brands sell water tapped from natural springs; the more famed the springs, the fancier the water. Evian and Fiji water are examples. Beverly Water prides itself on crafting water. Here, water from springs in California are tapped and a mix of minerals is added to it to produce a specific taste and mouthfeel and is branded as Beverly 9OH2O. This, says Martin Riese, a water sommelier and creator of Beverly Water, is what he considers to be “perfect” water and it complements food and wine.

To be fair, Rs 65 lakh is not just for a litre of water in a flimsy plastic bottle. The whole package includes personal delivery of water by Riese in a high-quality glass bottle with a diamond cap and free refills for a year. 

However, if you prefer even more splash for your buck, I made a quick calculation to know what else Rs 65 lakh can get you in modern India:

1,625 cancer-free households:

1000 water storage tanks:

541 hectares of water-sufficient land:

65 open wells:

52 school rainwater harvesting systems:

WaterAid:

Wildlife Trust of India:

GiveIndia:

Sea Shepherd: