Assessment of some physicochemical parameters levels in sachet drinking water and its effects on human health in Katsina Urban Area, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aims to establish the levels of some physicochemical properties in Sachet (Table) drinking water samples collected from 20 different sachet water samples brands and the effects of these on human healths in Katsina Urban Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. A total of 20 (20 each) sachet water samples were collected during dry and wet seasons of the year 2013. The gross appearance of Physicochemical parameters; pH, Electric Conductivity (EC), Turbidity, Hardness, Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Barium (Ba) and Fluoride (F) were analyzed using standard analytical techniques. The analysis yielded the following mean values with
range: pH (6.4 – 6.8), Conductivity (145.2 – 161.1 ohm/cm), Turbidity (5 – 5 ntu), Hardness (132 – 171.7 mg/l), Ca (5.4 – 16.9 mg/l), Na (0.01 – 0.03 mg/l), K (0.02 – 0.08 mg/l), Ba (7.3 – 10.5 mg/l) and F (0.5 – 1.7 mg/l). These results support the conclusions that, the pH, EC, Turbidity, Hardness, Calcium, Sodium and Potassium average values of the sachet water samples analysed in dry and wet season of this study are within the acceptable limits set by WHO for safe drinking water. However the mean values of Ba analysed during dry and wet season of this study are above the maximum permissible levels set by the WHO for safe drinking water. Only dry season water samples average values of F is above the acceptable limits set by the WHO drinking water. The sachet water from Katsina Urban Area should be used with care as Barium and Fluoride  parameters which have harmful human health effects were detected in the water. Thus, sachet drinking water in Katsina Urban Area unfortunately, is not quite safe, because some of the parameters analysed were above the maximum permissible limit set by the WHO in drinking water. It is noted that, the treatment process in Sachet water in the study area is done by "experience" and not by scientific method. This system is very dangerous and should be discarded with immediately. To prevent this, Government
should provide a scientifically equipped laboratory for testing sachet water produced any company before reaching the consumer.

Keywords: Physicochemical properties, Sachet Water, Katsina