QUALITY OF DIFFERENT SACHET WATER BRANDS SOLD

ABSTRACT

Water of good quality is essential for environmental and public health. In Nigeria, majority of the population rely on sachet/packed water for drinking water. This study was carried out to assess the quality of different brands of sachet water sold in Benin City, Nigeria. Water samples were collected and the physicochemical properties, microbial composition and heavy metal content of the samples were evaluated using standard procedures. The results of the physicochemical parameters were as follows: EC (10 - 170µS/cm), TDS (5.3 - 90.1mg/l), hardness (6 - 30mg/l), chloride (7.06mg/l), alkalinity (4 - 16mg/l), nitrate (0.64 - 1.22mg/l) and phosphate (0.01 - 1.15mg/l) and were all within the WHO permissible limits for drinking water except pH and turbidity. The concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb and Mn) in the samples were within their respective permissible limits in drinking water. Heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 0.00x102 cfu/ml (IB) - 3.72x102±0.5 cfu/ml (EJ), while total coliform counts ranged from 0.00x102 cfu/ml (OL, IB, NO and UNI) - 3.65x102±0.5 cfu/ml (EJ). Bacteria isolated from the samples were Aeromonas sp., Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus sp. and Enterobacter sp. It is therefore concluded that the sachet water brands sold in the study area are of good physical and chemical quality. However, levels of microbial contamination above permissible limits were recorded in some samples and could pose a serious health threat to consumers. Proper treatment of water in the water packaging facilities and improved sanitary practices of workers and facilities in general are recommended.