An Assessment on the Physiochemical and Microbiological Parameters in Selected Sachet Water Sold for Consumption in Old Road Gaye Town Community Montserrado, County

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume IX, Issue I, January 2022 | ISSN 2321–2705

An Assessment on the Physiochemical and Microbiological Parameters in Selected Sachet Water Sold for Consumption in Old Road Gaye Town Community Montserrado, County

 Franklin Gonpue

ABSTRACT
The study assessed the physicochemical and microbiological parameters in five selected sachet water brands that are sold for consumption in the Gaye Town Old Zoo community. The study is significant because the quality of drinking water plays a vital role in the health aspect of all human beings. An experimental design was employed to achieve the goal of the research. The population of the research was 150 and the sample size was 75. The key findings of the research are: The Copper contents in the samples of the five selected brands of sachet water were above the stipulated WHO, (2012) water quality standards for drinking water. The concentrations of Cadmium, Chloride, Iron, Fluoride, pH, Turbidity and Total Hardness in the samples of the five different brands of sachet water met the stipulated standards for drinking water. The concentrations of Nitrite contents in three of the five brands met the stipulated standards for drinking water and the remaining two brands’ concentrations of Nitrite contents were above the stipulated standards. The concentrations of Lead contents in one of the five brands were above the stipulated standards for drinking water. There were no bacteria present in three of the five sachet water brands. However, the presence of E.coli and Fecal Coliform was detected in the remaining two brands of sachet water. To conclude, none of the sachet water brands in the study area met all the parameters of the water quality standards for drinking water for both the Physiochemical and Microbiological parameters in relation to the World Health Organization (2012) drinking water quality standards and the Liberia Water Quality Standards (1987). It is recommended that; sachet water producers should have their water tested regularly especially in areas where fertilizers are commonly used where latrines (pit holes) are prevalent.

I. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Safe drinking water is a basic need for human development, health, and well-being and because of this; it is an internationally accepted human right (WHO, 2001). According to Udumu (2014), about 65% of the human body is water and the body needs water in order to maintain homeostasis.
Sachet water contains 500ml of water in a clear plastic bag that is electrically heated and sealed at opposite ends. Water used for sachet water is mostly obtained from groundwater, springs, and potable pipe-borne water. Prior to packaging, the water goes through a number of treatment processes, mainly filtration, in an attempt to make it purer and safer for consumption (Stoler, 2012).

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