20 Litre Water Can Delivery: What to Check

IndiaWish Team · Water · 3 min read

Packaged drinking water in 20 litre cans is a daily need in many homes and offices. Most of it is safe, but not all of it. Before you settle on a supplier, check three things on every can: the BIS (ISI) mark, the FSSAI licence number, and an unbroken seal with dates.

1. The marks that must be on the can

In India, packaged drinking water must be certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards and the maker must hold a food licence:

• ISI mark with the BIS licence number (CM/L-…) for packaged drinking water under the Indian standard IS 14543. Mineral water follows a separate standard, IS 13428.
• FSSAI licence number of the maker.
• Name and address of the maker, the batch number, and the date of packing and "best before" date.

You can look up a BIS licence number on the Bureau of Indian Standards website or the BIS Care app, which also lets you complain about misuse of the ISI mark.

2. Check every can when it arrives

• Seal: a tight, tamper-proof cap seal and a clean shrink band. Don't accept cans with loose or broken seals.
• Dates: packing date recent, "best before" not passed.
• The water: clear, with no smell, colour, floating particles or green tinge.
• The can: clean outside, no cracks, no dirty or yellowed plastic, and no algae at the bottom. Old, scratched cans are hard to clean properly.

If a can looks wrong, send it back. A good supplier replaces it without fuss.

3. Store and use cans safely

• Keep cans out of direct sunlight and away from heat, chemicals and cleaning products.
• Use a can within a few days of opening it.
• Wipe the neck of the can before placing it on the dispenser.

4. Clean the dispenser regularly

Even good water can pick up germs from a dirty dispenser.

1. Unplug it and remove the can.
2. Drain the remaining water through the taps.
3. Wash the reservoir and the taps with warm water and a mild food-safe cleaner or a little vinegar, then rinse well.
4. Wipe the drip tray and the outside.

Once a month is a good habit; follow the cleaning advice in your dispenser's manual if it has one.

5. How much to order

A common rule of thumb is around 2–3 litres of drinking water per adult per day, more in summer and for people who work outdoors. For a family of four that is roughly one 20 litre can every two to three days, plus water for cooking if you use cans for that too. Offices usually need more in summer. Ordering on a fixed schedule avoids running out.

6. Choosing a supplier

• Ask to see the BIS and FSSAI licences.
• Prefer suppliers who deliver on time, take back empty cans, and replace damaged ones.
• Ask about the can deposit (a refundable amount for each can) and the price per refill.
• Pay on delivery until you trust them.

With IndiaWish Water you can order sealed 20 litre cans and bottles to your door, track your order and pay on delivery.

Quick checklist

Order safe drinking water with IndiaWish Water.