Trusted Bottled Water in Guatemala Often Contaminated

A Washington State University study in Guatemala’s Western Highlands found that bottled water, widely trusted as safe, was often contaminated with harmful bacteria. Testing of 11 water sources revealed that bottled water was six times more likely to contain coliform bacteria than other sources, with only 17% meeting WHO safety standards. Across all samples, coliforms appeared in 90%, E. coli in 55%, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ESBL) in 30%, while CRE bacteria were less common.

The contamination likely stems from improper storage and unclean dispensers rather than the bottling process itself. Interestingly, municipal wells—ranked less safe by residents—showed the lowest contamination.

Researchers highlighted that perceptions of water safety influence behavior: people often skip disinfecting or cleaning trusted water sources, increasing risk. The findings underscore the need to combine education, hygiene, and monitoring to ensure safe drinking water and limit the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.

26-01-2026