Filtered tap water could cut cost and environmental impact

Doha, Qatar: A new study by the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) explores whether household water filtration could be a more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative to bottled water. The study found that household filtration systems cost significantly less to produce drinking water than bottled desalinated water - $0.00081-$0.00102 per litre compared with $0.15-$0.22 per litre.

QEERI scientist Dr. Sa'd Abdel-Halim Shannak explained that the study was prompted by a perceived contradiction in Qatar's water sector: while the country has invested heavily in an advanced desalination infrastructure providing municipal tap water of high quality, many households still prefer to buy bottled water. The study aimed to assess the broader economic and environmental implications of drinking-water choices in Qatar, moving beyond consumer preference alone.

Bottled water generates environmental and economic costs associated with plastic production, packaging, transportation, refrigeration and waste management, which accumulate throughout the supply chain. In contrast, the household filtration system evaluated in the study uses water from Qatar's municipal distribution network, with the main recurring costs being periodic filter replacement.

The study found that this filtration system has lower energy intensity and would reduce the energy and material requirements compared to bottled water.

However, the study does not suggest that bottled water is only chosen because residents are unaware of Qatar's water infrastructure. Consumer behavior is also influenced by factors like taste, convenience and lifestyle. Greater public awareness of the quality and safety of municipal water could encourage more sustainable consumption patterns.

The researchers suggest establishing national standards and certification frameworks for household filtration systems to ensure quality and build consumer confidence. The findings support broader discussions on sustainable consumption, plastic-waste reduction, consumer awareness and the development of technologies aligned with Qatar's water-security goals.