Determination of bacteria and trihalomethane compounds in sachet water commonly sold in Samaru, Zaria

Abstract

Portable water is essential to humans and other forms of life. Poor treatment of drinking water results in the distribution of drinking water contaminated with bacteria and trihalomethane (THMs) compounds. Five brands of sachet drinking water were analyzed for coliform colony units and THM compounds concentration using Multiple Tube test and UV- spectrophotometer. The results showed the presence of Enterobacter which is a disease causing bacteria in all the water samples with W5 having the highest colony unit of 11. This was followed by W4 and W3 with five colony units and lastly W2 and W1 with less than two colonies. The concentrations of THMs were also determined with W5 having the highest concentration of 0.032 μg/cm³, followed by W2 with a concentration of 0.02 μg/cm³; W4 had a concentration of 0.011 μg/cm³, W1 a concentration of 0.01μg/cm³ and lastly, W3 having a concentration of 0.007 μg/cm³. All samples had THM compounds with concentrations above the national permissible limits. The presence of Enterobacter, a disease causing organism and the high concentration of THMs in the water samples, are a cause for concern as they pose as a risk to human health; indicating that the waters evaluated are not in any way fit for consumption.

Keywords: Trihalomethanes, Coliforms, Pathogens, Sachet water, Bacteria