Assessment of the Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Sachet Water in Mubi Metropolis, Adamawa State North East, Nigeria

Abstract

Drinking sachet water quality was investigated in Mubi metropolis, Adamawa state, Nigeria, to ensure the continuous supply of clean and safe drinking water for the public health protection. For that reason, detailed biological, physical and chemical analyses of drinking water samples were carried out in different companies that produce sachet water in Mubi metropolis, Adamawa state. A number of parameters such as pH, turbidity, conductivity, total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), and heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Mg, Fe, Cd, Pb, Cr, As, Hg, and Sn were analyzed for each water sample collected period the period of five weeks. The obtained values of each parameter were compared with the standard values set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and local standards such as National Drinking Water Quality Standard (NDWQS). The values of each parameter were found to be within the safe limits set by the WHO and NDWQS. Overall, the water from all the locations was found to be unsafe as drinking water. NAFDAC should carry out regular and frequent surveys of sachet water quality analysis for proper monitoring and management of sachet water production and its quality, Sachet water producing companies should endeavor to carry out proper treatment of the water they produce to ensure it is free of pathogens. Due to the associated effect of excess nitrate in drinking water on infants, it is recommended that some of these sachet waters be avoided for infant's consumption. This study recommends further studies to investigate the life of sachet water in the area beyond 5 weeks and to critically examine the biological quality of the sachet water produced in the area.