AED250 water makes Dubai debut

OVERPRICED? A bottle of Bling H20 retails for between AED180 and AED250.

A bottle of water costing AED250 ($68) that made its Dubai retail debut on Monday has been met criticism by water conservation groups.

Bling H20 water was unveiled at Dubai’s Harvey Nichols last night where the crystal-encrusted bottles will be on sale for between AED180 and AED250.

The same amount of money would supply a child in Africa with water for life, reported Dubai daily 7days.

The store also has two limited edition Bling H2O bottles to sell, each one embellished with 10,000 Swarovski crystals, for AED15,000.

Ted Kuepper, executive director of Global Water, the international charity that campaigns for clean drinking water in developing nations, said the news of Bling H20 had left a bad taste in his mouth.

“As you could guess, paying exorbitant amounts for bottled water doesn’t make much sense to us at our humanitarian organisation,” says Kuepper.

“We’d rather see those folks contribute to water projects that can help people in developing countries that do not have clean water to drink at any price.

Kuepper told the paper the charity was trying to raise AED8,800 ($2,400) for a well at a rural school in Nicaragua.

Bling H20’s was created by the Hollywood writer and producer Kevin G Boyd. The water is bottled at its source in Dandridge, Tennessee.

What do you think about the cost of Bling H20? Will you be buying a bottle? Tell us what you think, post your comments below.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Why?
Posted by The Don, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Wednesday 22 July 2009 at 00:40 UAE time


Why, is it filled from water discovered in Mars or Europa Moon?

Lets be more human, irrespective we can afford it or not: there are many people starving around the world and it would be much better to donate the price of this bottle of water (if you can afford it) to help those people who can't find bar minimum daily food portion nor water.

Jealousy
Posted by Jeff, Dubai on Friday 3 July 2009 at 14:28 UAE time


Those who are criticizing are just jealous that they cant afford it. Guess what, there are people who can afford to shower with this water, and they are more important than your jealous selves!
I personally will buy it once or twice, but fully respect that some people will buy more of it, because thats what life is about, bling!

If you cant afford it, at least respect those who can , because they are richer than you .

bling baby bling!
Posted by lisa on Friday 3 July 2009 at 04:50 UAE time


it's all about the bling baby! bling has been selling out all over the world for the last 3 years. it's just now getting here. you may not like talking about it but Dubai is the land of excessand bling h2o is perfect for this market. in the clubs rich people are spraying expensive champagne like they won a championship every night. it is what it is and its going to be a big hit here in Dubai! they already did 2 thousand bottles for 1 royal wedding here in February and i don't think it will be the last.

Move on already
Posted by Jazz on Thursday 2 July 2009 at 21:58 UAE time


Enough with the water, if I want to donate to charity I will and if I want to spend my money on something like Bling I will! Stores are full of people who can buy what they want, and wear the latest in designer clothes...fur...snake but not to buy a bottle with crystals? Make a proper argument people! Go Bling!

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