New Delhi (PTI): Packaged drinking water and mineral water plants in the country use up to 7.03 million cubic meters of water per annum with Andhra Pradesh leading the tally having the maximum number of licences to manufacture packaged drinking water.

According to figures available, a total of 1,940 licences have been issued in the country for manufacturing packaged drinking water (PDW).

On the other hand, only 12 licences have been issued for bottling mineral water.

Andhra Pradesh has 471 licences to manufacture PDW, according to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Himachal Pradesh, which has several natural springs, has eight licences for bottling mineral water. Incidentally, it has the least number of PDW licences -- seven -- in the country.

Tamil Nadu comes second with 447 PDW licences, followed by Gujarat with 179 licences. Gujarat also has one mineral water bottling licence.

According to the data collected by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) from State governments, the quantum of ground water used by the plants in various States ranges from 0.002 to 7.03 million cubic meters (MCM) per annum.

Water cess is levied and collected by State Pollution Control Boards for prevention and control of water pollution.

Differential rates of cess are collected depending upon the use of water.