Drinking water pollution (contamination) has become a serious problem in many countries. What problems and opportunities does this present for what consumer and industrial goods?

PROBLEMS:

• For the water supplier, consumers will definitely opt for other variations of water such as mineral water, purified water, or other bottled water which seems safer to drink, which means consumers' consumption on tap water or drinking water may greatly reduce and may significantly affect the revenue of the major water supplier.
• Fresh produce and other raw ingredients such as meat, vegetables and spices that consumers usually cook before eating may not be consumers' first option in terms of purchasing anymore.
• For restaurants and the food industry, it will also entail extra cost because they will have to use safe water in preparing the food that are being sold.
• A dramatic increase in demand on bottled water or safer variations of water usually in containers may arise, which will challenge water firms to meet those demands.

OPPORTUNITIES:

• If able to meet the consumers' increased demand on water in containers, water firms may enjoy increased revenue as well.
• Industrial goods such as the installation of water purifier or any device/equipment that may be used to purify drinking water from contamination may be highly appealing to consumers who want to avoid intake of contaminated water.
• Fastfood chains, restaurants, and other food stores (especially those who offer delivery) may be more recognized this time.
• Ready-made food and processed food may also be in the spotlight as consumers may want to cook food at their home, too.
• Pharmaceutical goods will be very prominent as well.

Step-by-step explanation

PROBLEMS:

• For the water supplier (water could be considered partly as consumer goods since it is usually used in most of the goods we consume everyday), it would be a challenge to find ways to prevent contamination especially when it has already become a major issue and it is still ongoing which means they have already looked for ways to fix it but they could not. In addition, consumers will definitely opt for other variations of water such as mineral water, purified water, or other bottled water which seems safer to drink, which means consumers' consumption on tap water or drinking water may greatly reduce and may significantly affect the revenue of the major water supplier.
• Fresh produce and other raw ingredients such as meat, vegetables and spices that consumers usually cook before eating may not be consumers' first option in terms of purchasing anymore. Since they all require to be washed thoroughly, consumers will have to wash them using contaminated water--if not, then consumers will have to spend extra money in buying safer water (in containers). Consumers may want to eat outside--may it be at a fastfood chain, a restaurant--or they may decide to order cooked food such as pizza or others that are delivered at home.
• For restaurants and the food industry, it will also entail extra cost because they will have to use safe water in preparing the food that are being sold, to avoid issues in terms of consumers' health which, of course, is a factor no reputable business should overlook. Given that, they will also have to purchase safe variations of water which means extra cost, because water in containers usually cost more than water from the faucet.
• A dramatic increase in demand on bottled water or safer variations of water usually in containers may arise, which will challenge water firms to meet those demands. They will also have to incur extra costs in the process of meeting the increased demands.

OPPORTUNITIES:

• If able to meet the consumers' increased demand on water in containers, water firms may enjoy increased revenue as well. It will also be the perfect time for their brands to finally get recognized by consumers, especially those bottled water in the convenient and grocery stores.
• Industrial goods such as the installation of water purifier or any device/equipment that may be used to purify drinking water from contamination may be highly appealing to consumers who want to avoid intake of contaminated water. This means that firms who sell equipment that help make drinking water cleaner and safer to drink may enjoy increased sales, though I suggest they innovate their products in a way that they will be easy and convenient to use, given that different types of consumers will possibly use such products.
• Fastfood chains, restaurants, and other food stores (especially those who offer delivery) may be more recognized this time. They can offer "homey" food or variations of food that are usually cooked in homes in the area, to give consumers the feeling that they are eating home-made food rather than ordered food.
• Ready-made food and processed food may also be in the spotlight as consumers may want to cook food at their home, too, but they would choose food that requires less preparations and less water involvement.
• Pharmaceutical goods will be very prominent as well, as people who are suffering from or want to prevent any ailments related to contamination will need to seek the aid of medicine and other necessary treatments.