Effects of storage on the quality of selected sachet water produced within Sabon Gari Local Government area of Kaduna State

Abstract

Water is life and every living thing depends on it for existence. Sachet water has gradually become the most widely consumed liquid in Nigeria with varying qualities. This study investigates the effects of storage on the physicochemical status and bacteriological quality of selected sachet water produced in Sabon Gari Local government area of Kaduna state. Five (5) brands of sachet water were collected within 24h of production and stored at ambient temperature. Sub samples were drawn from the stock samples for physico-chemical and microbiological analyses and on weekly basis. Physical parameters were determined by instrumental methods. Cationic and anionic constituents were determined by standard titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods. Temperature, pH, Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Colour values ranged from (24.8 - 29.6) °C, (7.3 - 8.4), (0.36 - 0.77) NTU, (63.3 - 99.6) ppm, (131.5 - 210.5) ps/cm and (2 - 8) Pt -Co, respectively. The Total hardness, Alkalinity, Chloride, Nitrate, Fluoride, and Iron values varied from (39 - 85) mg/l, (18- 77) mg/l, (29.2 - 248.7) mg/l, (0.22 - 1.30) mg/l, (0.15 - 1.05) mg/l, and (0.00 - 0.07) mg/l and with an average coliform count of 15.4 MNP/100ml. The physico-chemical analysis indicated that the average values of the parameters of all the sachet water brands were below the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) and World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits. Bacteriological analysis in terms of total coliform revealed that all the sachet water brands showed positive coliform count value while the biochemical test indicated contaminations with Enterobacter spp making it unfit for portability. The study advocates proper water treatment by water manufacturers and strict monitoring for compliance by the regulatory agencies to avoid water borne diseases.