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Information and communication technology (ict) determines growth. This includes cell phone, Internet and broadband service that aids rapid communication and trade ict boosts productivity

When was the last time you drank water straight from the tap at your house to slake thirst on a hot summer day, without hesitation. Chances are you would have at least boiled or filtered the water. The public water supply in India is so unreliable that th

Talk about his company's fortunes is likely to elicit a beaming smile from Mahesh Gupta. Kent RO systems' managing director says that his company's profits grew 40 times between 2002-2003 and 2007-2008: from Rs 2.5 crore to Rs 100 crore. Other water purifier manufacturers also say that business is good. Are they making tall claims? Or are they making hay while the sun shines?

Media attention is routine stuff for film star Hema Malini.

A water purifier has to deal with physical, chemical and biological adulterants including dissolved solids, heavy metals and pesticides. Besides, all contaminants have different characteristics like molecular weight and size, water solubility, volatility and ability to react with oxygen.

The system wastes water, and is expensive

According to industry estimates, 5.2 million households use water purifiers of which about 42 per cent (or 2.1 million households) employs RO. Assuming every household has 5 members;

How does one select a water filter?

Step 1: Understand raw water quality. Find out the contaminants in water, its hardness and its total dissolved solid contents. Also find out if the water has heavy metals, pesticides or any other chemical

A consumer looking for a water purifier is most likely to be confronted with a fusillade of quality claims. K J Nath, president, Institution of Public Health Engineers in Kolkata is not sure about their veracity. "A lot of the tall claims by private players cannot be substantiated scientifically,' he says.

The BIS drinking water specification (IS 10500:1991), which is a voluntary standard, was drawn up in 1983. It was last revised 17 years ago. A revision initiated in 2003, is still in its draft stage.

We asked a few manufacturers about the standards they adhere to. Here is what they said

Philips Electronics India: Gold seal Class A certified by the US-based Water Quality Association, certified by KIWA Water Research of the Netherlands and BIS certification for UV filters