PHYSIOCHEMICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SACHET WATER VENDED IN PARTS OF EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Quality water should be colourless, tasteless, odourless and free from faecal contamination. This study investigates the physiochemical and microbiological characteristics of sachet packaged water vended in four local government areas of Ekiti State, Nigeria of contamination of commercially vended packaged water and their public health implications. The four Local Government Areas were Ado-Ekiti L.G.A, Ikere L.G.A, ljero L.G.A and Ikole Local Government Areas of Ekiti State. Five sachet waters vended in the four Local Government Areas each were purchased make a total of twenty. The sachet packaged waters were transported to the laboratory for the analysis. The physiochemical parameters analysed were odour, colour, pH, turbidity, Conductivity, total dissolved solid, Hardness, zinc, copper, iron, calcium, chloride, nitrate, sulphate, potassium, sodium and magnesium while the microbial parameters were total coliform count, E. coli, S. aeurns and the total plate count. The results were compared with the WHO and NAFDAC standards for drinking water. All the physiochemical and the microbial characteristics were in conformity with the standards except S.aeurus for which 15 percent of the samples were tested positive showing that not all the vended sachet waters are safe for drinking purpose. The research work therefore recommends that microbiological assessment of drinking water quality should be done periodically with the regulatory bodies, there should be regular monitoring, inspection and sanctions by regulatory bodies to enforce existing water regulations and that necessary environmental education should be intensified to inculcate the right attitude and consciousness towards environmental preservation. Finally, it recommends that regulatory agencies involved in food and beverages should be empowered in their regulatory and monitoring functions to check adulteration of these products.