Physio-Chemical and Bacteriological Characteristics of Bottled and Sachet Brand of Packaged Water in Warri and Abraka, Southern Nigeria

This paper assessed the physiochemical and bacteriological characteristics of bottled and sachet waters in Warri and Abraka, Southern Nigeria. The study made use of 5 brands of packaged water registered with NAFDAC. Four bottled and five sachet packaged drinking water from five different brands were collected from Warri, Effurun and Abraka. Triplicate batches of each of the brands were purchased randomly from the production room, distributors and hawkers; labelled 1, 2 and 3 respectively. All apparati used in carrying out the analysis were sterilized thoroughly using alcohol and autoclave. Samples were labelled using alphabetical order and not by brand names. Twenty seven samples were randomly collected from the study area. Physical examination of the products to ascertain the external features of the packaged waste itself such as label, presence of certification number and other product information was carried out. Specific odour and appearance were also noted. The flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for heavy metals determination such as lead, chromium and cadmium in drinking water. A total of twenty seven samples of packaged water were analysed for physiochemical and bacteriological properties such as coliform counts, chlorine, pH, turbidity, dissolved solid and other heavy metals. The method adopted for sample analysis was a laid-down standard method for the examination of water by the World Health Organization. The results obtained revealed that all metals analyzed were detected and there were variations in the values obtained in the samples from the three collection centers respectively. It also revealed that bottled and sachet water sold in Warri and Abraka both in Delta State, exhibited variable characteristics in terms of their physiochemical quality. All the samples studied were not contaminated with coliform bacteria. All the brands successfully met the WHO/NIS drinking water standard to zero coliform per 100ml water making it suitable for human consumption. The absence of faecal indicator bacteria in all brands of the bottled and sachet drinking water could be attributed to better hygienic practices observed in the industry. It should, however, not be automatically assumed that packaged water in sachets and bottles are generally safe. Although the technologies used in these water industries present barriers that prevent the pathogen presence of pathogens in the final products, the quality of the packaged water is compromised significantly as it moves from the manufacturer to the consumer.