Quality of sachet water produced and marketed in Minna metropolis, north central Nigeria.

Abstract

Microbiological and micronutrient quality of sachet water samples sold in Minna metropolis Niger State, Nigeria was analyzed using micro filter membrane and atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The metropolis was divided into four clusters and sachet water was collected from the factories within each cluster. Total bacteria count (TBC), total coliform count (TCC) and presence of fecal coliforms were evaluated. Bacteria count ranged from 7.00 ± 0.19a to 166.67 ± 0.38d colony-forming units (cfu/ml). The fecal coliform ranged from 2.33 ± 0.50a to 15.00 ± 0.77f cfu/100 ml. Fecal coliforms were isolated from sachet waters from zones A and C. Salmonella and Shigella spp were not detected in the samples. Micronutrient examination of the samples showed that the sachet water samples differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in their micronutrient composition. However, lead (Pb) was not detected in the samples from any of the clusters. While the TBC of the water samples were within the acceptable regulated limits, the presence of feacal organisms in the samples from some clusters was indicative of gross contamination. Absence of heavy metals showed that sewages though rampant in the metropolis may not be slipping into bore holes or are not chemically contaminated. The need for proactive surveillance by regulatory agencies is advocated.