Bacteriological analysis of packaged water sold in Maiduguri Metropolis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Continuous increase in the sale and indiscriminate consumption of packaged drinking water in Nigeria is of public health significance.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the bacteriological quality of packaged water marked in Maiduguri metropolis Borno state, with emphasis on the incidence of pathogenic bacteria in the water sample.

METHODS: Standard microbiological procedures which include; physical parameters of the samples, multiple tube fermentation method (Most Probable Number),Eijkman test, and Biochemical tests were used to investigate the incidence of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and indicator faecal coliforms.

RESULTS: In the study, Fifty Four (54) water samples were examined, Forty-Six (85%) were sachet water while Eight (14.8%) were bottle water. Different species of bacteria isolated from the 46 sachet water samples are; thirteen (13) Escherichia coli, Six (6) Klebsiella spp. Eight (8) Proteus spp. Five (5) Coliform spp, and Three (3) Pseudomonas aeruginosa. While bottled water contain one (1) Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that 66.6% of packaged water sold in Maiduguri is either improperly treated or are produced under unhygienic condition, making them unsuitable for human consumption and are hazardous to health. Hence there is need for strict attention and routine monitoring by regulatory agencies with the view of raising standards of quality of sachet and bottled water produced and sold in Maiduguri.