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ABSTRACT
Sachet water is a widely accepted source of drinking water in Nigeria due to their availability and perceived safety. However, it is now known that there is the possibility of these water sources being contaminated. This study was carried out to assess the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of sachet water sold around Ugbowo, Benin City, Nigeria. Eight sachet water brands were collected and analysed through standard analytical procedures. From the physicochemical analysis of the samples, the following results were obtained: temperature, 29oC; pH, 8.02 - 8.94; colour 6.61 - 7.47; electrical conductivity, 20 - 258µS/cm; total dissolved solids, 10 - 127mg/l; and alkalinity, 25 - 255mg/l. All values were within the permissible limits stipulated by the WHO except some pH and alkalinity values. Five of the brands were free of bacterial contamination. The bacteriological analysis showed that heterotrophic bacterial counts were between 1.0 - 7.5cfu/ml, while the faecal coliform counts were 1.00 - 3.0cfu/ml. The bacteria isolates in the samples were Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella oxytoca. The coliform counts inficated faecal contamination in three of the samples and showed that they were unsuitable for consumption as they exceeded permissible limits. It is recommended that proper water treatment be carried out prior to packaging and hygienic practices be implemented in water packaging facilities.
