Physicochemical and Bacteriological Properties of Packaged Water Sold in Imo State, Nigeria: A Case Study of Owerri Municipal Council

Abstract

Background: The inadequacy of pipe borne water supplies in urban centres is a growing problem. As a result, communities resort to buying water from vendors. Presently, sachet and bottled water are the major source of drinking water in many households and at work. Aim/Objective: This study is aimed at assessing the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of packaged water (sachet and bottled) sold in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State, Nigeria. Method: A total number of 24 samples of packaged water (11 sachet and 13 bottled) from several commercial brands sold in the city were selected randomly. These were of two categories: those that are packaged and sealed in bottles by larger factories (13 brands) and those that are sealed in nylon sachets (11 brands) by small scale industries. The samples were subjected to physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis. AAS and analytical quality chemical reagents were used for chemical analyses. Mac Conkey Broth (MB) was used for bacteriological analysis. Results: The results showed that while the physicochemical and bacteriological parameters were within standard limits for drinking water quality guidelines values and bacteriological analysis showed that there were no coliform counts in the bottled water samples but 5% of the 11 samples of the sachet water showed coliform growth. Conclusion: Thus the bottled waters were more satisfactory compared with the sachet ones. Recommendation: The enforcement agencies in the country (e.g. NAFDAC, Ministry of Health) need to get the producers of “packaged water” to comply with the National Drinking Water Guidelines and the communities on their part should be educated and enlightened on the ill effects of patronizing fake vendors of packaged drinking water.