At an Indian gourmet food store, Avanti Mehta arranges a blind tasting of drinks sourced from France, Italy and India.

This time, the glasses are filled not with wine, but with water. Participants sip from small shot glasses, assessing minerality, carbonation and salinity in samples of Evian from the French Alps, Perrier from southern France, San Pellegrino from Italy, and India’s Aava, drawn from the foothills of the Aravalli mountains.

“Each one tastes different. You should choose water that offers some nutritional value,” said Mehta, 32, who terms herself as India’s youngest water sommelier, a title more commonly linked to fine wine. Her family owns the Aava mineral water brand.

Premium bottled water has become a $400 million business in India and continues to expand, as affluent consumers adopt it as a status symbol aligned with a growing wellness culture.

Indian premium mineral water sells for about $1 per litre, while imported brands cost more than $3, around 15 times the price of the country’s cheapest bottled water.

Access to clean water remains uneven in a nation of 1.4 billion people. Researchers estimate that 70 per cent of groundwater is contaminated. Tap water is widely considered unsafe, and in December, 16 people died in Indore after consuming polluted municipal water.

For many Indians, bottled water is a necessity. Standard bottles priced at around 20 US cents are readily available in shops, restaurants and hotels. The market is valued at nearly $5 billion a year and is forecast to grow by 24 per cent annually, among the fastest growth rates globally.

In contrast, bottled water demand in the United States and China is driven largely by convenience. Each market is worth more than $30 billion, with annual growth of 4 to 5 per cent, according to market research firm Euromonitor.

India’s premium water segment is driving much of the domestic growth. It accounted for 8 per cent of the bottled water market last year, up from just 1 per cent in 2021, Euromonitor reported.

“Distrust of municipal water in certain areas has increased reliance on bottled water. People now recognise the health benefits of mineral water. It is expensive, but the segment will expand,” said Amulya Pandit, a senior Euromonitor consultant specialising in beverages.

Among the consumers is New Delhi-based real estate developer B S Batra, who said his household relies exclusively on premium water for mineral intake and health.

“You feel more energetic during the day,” said Batra, 49, a regular badminton player. “I even use mineral water with whisky, and the children use it for smoothies.”

Mass-market bottled water, typically priced at 20 cents, is dominated by Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Indian market leader Bisleri. Those with higher incomes often install home purifiers, which remove impurities but also strip out minerals.

Premium domestic and imported brands are increasingly attracting wealthy households and businesses.

Bollywood actor Bhumi Pednekar and her sister have launched Backbay, selling 750ml cartons of mineral water for $2.20. Indian conglomerate Tata is expanding its premium portfolio, while retailers report rising sales.

Tata Consumer Products, a partner of Starbucks in India, continues to sell low-cost bottled water but places greater emphasis on premium offerings. Chief executive Sunil D’Souza said affluent, health-conscious consumers are prepared to pay higher prices.

“I don’t have to push water uphill. There is a long runway for this business,” he said.

Tata’s Himalayan mineral water plant, located in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh, draws water from a natural underground aquifer. Workers largely monitor automated machines that fill both plastic and glass bottles.

Most Indian consumers favour still water, while sparkling varieties remain niche. Tata plans to launch sparkling Himalayan water and is searching for additional natural springs to broaden its range.

At three Foodstories gourmet stores, premium water sales tripled in 2025. Customer demand led the chain to import Saratoga Spring Water from New York, priced at 799 rupees ($9) for a 355ml bottle. Stocks sold out within days, according to co-founder Avni Biyani.

Aava reported record sales of 805 million rupees ($9 million) last year, with annual growth of 40 per cent since 2021. Tata said its combined basic and premium water business is projected to grow by 30 per cent a year, after increasing tenfold to $65 million over six years.

Imported waters face taxes exceeding 30 per cent, making them more expensive than local brands. Perrier, San Pellegrino and Evian retail for more than 300 rupees, or $3.20, for a 750ml bottle.

Nestlé declined to comment. Danone said India’s bottled water market is expanding at a robust pace, while imported brands remain niche.

“When you turn on the tap, you are not getting Aava or Evian. That difference is what people are paying for,” Mehta said.

At the tasting session, several participants enjoyed the experience, though many questioned the cost.

“It is quite expensive,” said executive Hoshini Vallabhaneni. “For everyday use, it would be hard on the pocket.”