When something that appears as safe as bottled water is shown to carry pesticide residues at levels several times higher than those permitted internationally, a public outcry is inevitable. The Centre for Science and Environment's recent study of popular bottled water brands sold in Delhi and Mumbai indicating that most of them contained significant traces of pesticides like DDT, malathion, lindane and chlorpyrifos has caused widespread disquiet. Not surprising this, considering how dependent urbanities have come to be on bottled aqua to meet their drinking water need......Editorial