Physicochemical and Microbiological Assessment of Some Sachet Water Produced in Irele, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study presents the result obtained from the quality assessment of some sachet water produced in Irele, Ondo State, Nigeria. Eight different brands of sachet water certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) representing the western, northern, eastern, central and southern part of Irele were obtained, their physicochemical characteristics and microbiological parameters were investigated using standard analytical procedures to determine the level of agreement with World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) requirements for drinking water. The results from the Physico-chemical characteristics temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, total hardness, total alkalinity, nitrate and chloride were in the range of 6.2-27.0oC, 77.2-142.3 μS/cm, 7.40-7.60, 47.7-99.5 mg/L, 11.3-51.3 mg/L, 13.20-70.0 mg/L, 0.8 to 2.5 mg/L and 0.01-0.02 mg/L respectively. The concentrations of iron, copper and manganese were in the range of 0.01-0.02 mg/L, 0.13-0.18 mg/L and 0.01-0.6 mg/L. The concentrations of cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic were not detected in the sachet water studied except in sample H were their concentrations were 0.003, 0.001, 0.01, and 0.01mg/L, respectively. The microbial quality of the studied sachet water was within the WHO recommended standard. All the studied parameters have their values within the recommended limit set by WHO except for sample H with a manganese concentration above the set standard. There is a need for NAFDAC and other water monitoring agencies to focus on promoting the safety of drinking water, particularly sachet water. The Sources of water, production processes, and environment should be inspected regularly by monitory agencies to certify that there is no deviation from recommended standards.