Determination of Bacteriological and Physical Quality and Safety of Bottled and Sachet Water Produced in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Adetuwo Olagunju Johnson
2020 International Journal of Innovative Research & Development  
Introduction Most waterborne disease is preventable given basic hygiene and sanitation, but these two factors are critical and possible only through provision of potable water in form Sachet Water and bottled water commonly called 'packaged water'. Packaged water is any potable water that is manufactured or processed for sale which is sealed in food-grade bottles, sachets, or other containers and intended for human consumption (WHO). Sale of packaged water has exploded all over the world in
more » ... nt years, largely as a result of public perception that it is safe, tastes better, and has a better quality compared to raw tap water (Dodoo, et al., 2006; Bitton, 2005). The increment in consumption globally could also be due to a result of an increase in per capital use as well as population growth (Daniel and Daodu, 2016). Even in countries where tap water quality is considered excellent, demand was so high, making packaged water the fastest growing product of the nonalcoholic beverage market worldwide (Harley and Prescott, 2002; Nsanse, et al., 1999). The above situation is not any different in the study area, Okitipupa and all over Nigeria where water packaged in bottles and polythene bags has become a very common consumer product most especially in the urban centres. The high demand may attract sub-standard products and counterfeits into the market. With this increase in consumption of packaged water, there is a possibility of producing products that are not fit for human consumption because of monetary interests (Edema, Atayese, and Bankole, 2011; Afiukwa, et al., 2010). Access to safe drinking water is still one of the major challenges of the 21st century (Ehiowemwenguan, Iloma, and Adetuwo, 2014; Bitton, 2005). Unsafe water is a global public health threat, placing persons at risk for a host of diarrhoeal diseases as well as chemical intoxication (Afiukwa, et al., 2010; World Health Organization, 2019). Although disease outbreaks due to contaminated packaged water are not common, any possible contamination may lead to widespread epidemic because of the high demand and consumption. Before water can be described as potable, it has to comply with certain physical, chemical and microbiological standards which are designed to ensure that the water is indeed potable and safe to drink (Akpborie and Ehwarimo, 2012; Semerijian, 2011; Raj, 2005). A Potable water is the water that is free from water borne pathogens and chemical substances harmful to health. Good quality Water is major factor in guaranteeing public health safety and for sustainable human development. Water related disease has become great burden to the society and no one can accurately measure the true burden of waterborne disease (Daniel and Daodu, 2016). There are multiple routes of transmission of most infectious agents that can be transmitted
doi:10.24940/ijird/2020/v9/i7/jul20073 fatcat:ht66col6kbhc3fapxykdoaqby4