Description

ABSTRACT

This study presents the result of quality assessment of some packaged table water sold in Nneochi metropolis. In this study, three different brands of sachet water were sampled, physically examined and assessed for their physicochemical parameters using standard analytical procedures to ascertain the level of compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) specification for drinking water. The results from the physical examinations reveals that none of the water brands indicated the mineral composition, manufacturing date, expiry date and batch number, while all the water brands had product name, manufacturers address and NAFDAC number. Furthermore, result from physical analyses showed that total dissolved solid ranged from 46.0 – 128.0mg/l, conductivity ranged from 92.0 – 251.0𝜇S/cm, temperature ranged from 25.6 – 27.1℃, total suspended solid and turbidity were found to be 0mg/l. Results from chemical analyses show that all the samples have pH range of 6.4 – 7.2, calcium range from 3.60 – 7.210mg/l, chloride range from 7.0 – 11.340mg/l, magnesium range from 0.40 – 4.790mg/l, total hardness range from 4.0 – 12.0mg/l, and total alkalinity range from 15 – 250mg/l. The results of both physical and chemical analyses support the conclusions that, the pH, electric conductivity, temperature, total dissolved solid, total suspended solid, turbidity, hardness, chloride, calcium, magnesium and alkalinity of this study are within the acceptable limits set by WHO and SON for safe drinking water. Therefore, packaged table water in Nneochi metropolis is safe for consumption.

Keywords: Nneochi Metropolis, Physicochemical, Sachet water, Water

 

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                       INTRODUCTION

1.1                                         BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Water is one of the essential commodities needed by all forms of life in ecosystem. It is the most abundant in the earth crust (about 75%). Despite its relative abundance, good quality drinking water is not readily available to man (Onweluzo and Akuagbazie, 2010). Sachet packaged drinking water is very common in Nigeria. It is often found as a major source of water at food canteens and sold by many food vendors in the country (Adiotomre and Agbale, 2015). The non- availability of good quality drinking water has resulted in number of health challenges as water is known to be a primary causative agent of many contagious diseases. In developing countries of the world, 80% of all diseases and over 30% of deaths are related to drinking water (Olaoye and Onilude, 2009; Onweluzo and Akuagbazie, 2010). This gives chance to private individuals to invest in the production of packaged drinking water (Dada, 2009). Packaged table water can be referred to as ready to drink packed and machine-sealed water. This water is referred to as “pure water” by many of the locals in Nigeria and other African neighbouring countries like Ghana, Niger, Benin Togo etc (Adiotomre and Agbale, 2015). The main source of packaged table water is water from borehole, springs, taps etc. Sachet water produced in small scale industries is mainly treated by aeration, double or single filtration using porcelain molecular candle filter or membrane filters and in rare instances, disinfection is applied. The level of treatment generally depends on the source of water.

Water is said to be potable when its physical, chemical and microbiological qualities conform to specified standards (Onweluzo, and Akuagbazie, 2010). According to Federal Ministry of Health Statistics, only about 30% of Nigerians have access to potable water while the United Nations estimated that about 1.2 billion people all over the world lack access to potable water (Oyeku et al., 2011; Ajewole, 2015).

However, physicochemical parameters are parameters that ascertain the quality of water. These parameters comprise the physical which can be access physically like colour, odour, taste, turbidity etc. and chemical parameters that can be determine using chemical test, e.g. chloride, alkalinity, free carbon dioxide, calcium, magnesium etc. Some of these parameters can be determine by titrimetric method, while some using highly sensitive equipment like spectrophotometer, atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) etc.

1.2                                                  PROBLEM STATEMENT

Drinking water quality has always been a major issue in many countries, especially in developing countries (Assembly of Life Sciences, 2017). The World Health Organization in its “Guidelines for drinking water quality” publication highlighted at least seventeen different and major genus of bacteria that may be found in packaged table water which are capable of seriously affecting human health (WHO, 2016). The proportion of waterborne disease outbreaks associated with packaged table water has been increasing over the years (Moe & Rheingans, 2016). To solve this problem, the qualities of sachet water samples need to analysed. This study determines physio-chemical analysis of packaged table water samples taken from Nneochi metropolis. Physio- chemical analysis includes analysis of pH, total chlorine, and turbidity and total Iron.

1.3                                          AIM AND OBJECTIVES

 AIM

The main aim of this study is to investigate the Physico-Chemical Properties of three brand of Sachet Water sold in Nneochi metropolis, in Abia State, South East Nigeria. This was achieved through the following objectives.

OBJECTIVES

i.                    To determine the concentration of pH, Chloride, Calcium, Total Hardness, Magnesium, Alkalinity etc. in sachet water

1. To analyze the physio-chemical status of three different brand of sachet water sold in Nneochi metropolis

• To ensure that pure water consumed by the residence of the community is safe.

1. To ensure that sachet water companies compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) specification for drinking water.

1.4                                                   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The present study has revealed that some of physico-chemical parameters of the sachet had values beyond the maximum tolerable limits recommended by WHO and SON. Thus, it calls for appropriate intervention, including awareness development work and improving the existing infrastructure in order to minimize the potential health problems of those communities currently realizing of the available water sources.

1.5                                           SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is useful in increasing awareness about the importance of maintaining clean packaged table water by using easy and effective methods which will reduce the chance of pathogenic microorganism survival and disease transmission for the consumers residing in such environment. This study helps to ensure that the packaged table water that reaches the public is safe.

1.6                                                PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the present study was to ensure quality of packaged table water consumed by the residence of Nneochi metropolis is safe and free of concentration of heavy metals, chloride, chromium, pH, total suspended solid, alkalinity conductivity etc.

1.7                                          JUSTIFICATION

Water contamination has been the major problem in both urban and mostly rural area of Nigeria. All water contains natural contaminants, particularly inorganic contaminants that arise from the geological strata through which water flows and to a varying extent, anthropogenic pollution by chemicals.

Nneochi metropolis is a commercial area, and are such faced with a lots of pollution from both commercial and house hold activities. These pollutants contaminate the water found in this area. This is because, this pollutants are not properly managed and hence, could contaminate water source by underground movement of water. The intake of this contaminated water could lead to  diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, cholera etc. The above diseases have been the major problem associated with the people of Nneochi metropolis. This work aims at assessing the quality of sachet water.

1.8                                             LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

There are more than three packaged table water within Nneochi metropolis, but in this study the analysis is only carried out in three packaged table sold in the metropolis.

1.9                                                  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

At the end of this work, student involved shall be able to give answers to the following questions:

1. What are the types of heavy metals identified in packaged table water?
2. What is water contamination?

• What type of bacteria is commonly found in packaged table water?

1. What are the heavy metals common in packaged table water?