Access to potable water is a major problem in developing countries like Nigeria. The contaminants of water are numerous and possess danger to human health upon consumption, and the processes of purification, when poorly handled, are not efficient enough to completely eliminate impurity.
Aim of study:
Therefore, this study aims to determine the physicochemical and bacteriological profile of sachet water sold in Umudike, Umugbalu, and Amowukwu in Ikwuano Local Government Area in Abia State, Nigeria, as a means to promoting access to safe drinking water within the aforementioned regions.
Method:
The physicochemical properties of the water samples were accessed using various parameters such as pH, T.D.S., water hardness, turbidity, Phosphate, Nitrate, and Sulphate presence. Additionally, the Bacteriological parameters accessed to characterize and determine bacterial presence were gram test, motility, coagulase tests, citrate utilization, sugar formation, and catalase tests.
INTRODUCTION
The water of adequate purity, which is the lifeblood of the human species, is of vital importance in the existence of life [1]. The human body composes 65% of water, and health experts stress that we should drink two liters of water a day [2]. Nevertheless, the majority of the world's population lack access to safe drinking water, and of more than six billion people on earth, over one billion (one in six) lack accesses to safe drinking water [3]. Unsafe water is one of the major causes of water-borne diseases, which is reported to claim the lives of approximately six million children every year [4]. The problem of potable drinking water is habitual in developing countries like Nigeria, where the government can hardly afford the infrastructural facilities needed to provide safe water for her citizens, a teeming population of more than 140 million people [3].
The production of sachet water started in the 1990s, and because it was readily available, it has become a fast-selling substitute for regular consumption. The production of sachet water requires a source of regular water supply either directly from the water-works or boreholes. This also requires a plastic bottle or white polyethene bags for the package. Several reservoirs are needed for the temporary storage of water. The water is directly pumped into different surface reservoirs and retained for a number of hours, ranging from 20 to 24 hours. It is then treated with Alum as a coagulating chemical and allowed for sedimentation. The water is then passed through several filters, and disinfectants added. The water then passes through micro-filter, U.V. sterilizer, and into the sealing machine before final packaging and consumption [5].
The problems associated with the process of water purification, are the chemical constituents used, which primarily can cause adverse health effects after prolonged periods of consumption. These chemicals include heavy metals and substances that are carcinogenic. Also, there are huge numbers of reported cases of typhoid and arising from the consumption of sachet water [6]
However, Water quality can be evaluated using the World Health Organization (WHO), Federal environmental protection Agency (FEPA), S.O.N., and other regulatory agencies guidelines [7]. Quality control of water should be prioritized by every nation globally because of its sensitive roles in posing a threat to public health [3].
Therefore, this study aims to determine the physicochemical and bacteriological profile of sachet water sold in Umudike, Umugbalu and Amowukwu in Ikwuano Local Government area in Abia State, Nigeria, as a means to promoting access to safe drinking water within the aforementioned regions.
Results:
Furthermore, the pH results showed that water samples from Umudike and Umugbalu were acidic, T.D.S. values were within the standard limit of WHO, but below the limit for T.S.S. For turbidity, total hardness and calcium hardness, while Nitrate and Sulphate were observed to be higher than the WHO limit of 100mg/L, with exceptions to a few samples. The Bacteriological analysis revealed that all samples were above the WHO limit of 0 cfu/ml.
Conclusion:
The majority of the samples fell below the WHO standards for potable water, hence the need for further assessment of manufacturing, purification, and packaging processes to ensure safe water for the poor masses.
Reference
1 Ademoroti, C.M.A (1996). Standard Methods for Water Effluents Analysis (1st ed). Foludex press limited, Ibadan. Pg. 21-43
Talwar, G.P., srivastava, L.m., Mougil, K.D. (1989). Biochemistry and Human Biology (2nd ed). Longman, Lagos Pg. 46-50.
2 American Journal of Environment, Energy and Power Research, 2: 01-10,
3 Amoo, I.A and Akinbode, U.E. (2005). Comparison of Water Quality in Concrete Ringed Water Wells and Unringed Water Wells in Akure, Nigeria. Unpublished Federal University M.sc. Thesis. 13-17
4 TWAS. (2002). Safe Drinking Water" the need, the Problems, Solutions and Action Plan. Third World Academic of Sciences, Italy. 8-12
5 Denloye, S.A. (2004). Quality Parameters for Packaged Water NAFDAC Laboratory Experience. IPAN News (4):46-50.
6 Ogamba, A.S. Packed Drinking Water, How Safe? Professionalism, IPAN news (4):70-76 (2004). Sani A.R. Determination of Heavy Metals in Challawa River. Unpublished Bayero University B.Sc. Project Pg 20-30
7 World Health Organization (WHO) (1999). Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. Health criteria and other supporting information (2nd ed. Vol.2) AITBS publishers, New Delhi.pg.119-382(1999).
Written by: UDEKWU CHINEDU EMEKA (BSc Biochemistry)