Bacteriological Study Of Sachet Water Sold In Owerri Metropolis

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The safety of drinking water is a worldwide public health concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 1.1 billion of the world‟s population does not have access to safe water. In addition, 80 percent of diseases and one-third of deaths in developing countries are due to consumption of contaminated water (WHO, 2011). In Nigeria, it is reported that the incidence of acute watery diarrhoea is approximately 4.9 episodes per year and there are approximately 200,000 diarrhoea related deaths of children aged below five years with an average of 300 deaths per day (United Nations, 2012). Great concern must therefore be given to the quality of drinking water which is very critical in maintaining good health and for the overall socio-economic development of any society.

Due to the scarcity of safe drinking water in Nigeria, communities obtain their potable water in form of sachet water, popularly referred to as „pure water‟. It is the most common source of drinking water in Nigeria, given that it is relatively cheap, accessible and generally perceived to be of better quality (Stoler, 2012). Drinking water industries in Nigeria, mostly owned by private institutions obtain water from surface or underground sources and since both types of water can become contaminated by biological and chemical pollutants originating from point and nonpoint sources, it is usually followed by various treatment processes.Various studies carried out on sachet water from different cities have revealed the lack of purity of sachet drinking water in Nigeria (Oladipo et al., 2009; Afiukwa et al., 2010; Edema et al., 2011; Akpoborie, and Ehwarimo, 2012; Onilude et al., 2013). This is attributed to sharp practices, poor hygiene of vendors, polluted environment, and non-adherence to WHO/NAFDAC regulations (Omalu et al., 2010). It is therefore imperative that the quality of sachet water vended be continuously assessed for the protection of public health.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

AIM

The aim of this study is to evaluate the sterility of sachet water sold in owerri, particularly in Imo State University.

Objectives

The objectives of this study are

1. Isolation of organism from sachet water sold in Imo State University

2. Identification of the isolates from sachet water sold in Imo State University

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Water analysis is the first step in determining the quality of the water you use in your home or commercial enterprise.  Water that is supplied to cities, towns and villages is tested on a regular basis by the local County or City Council. Well and surface waters are vulnerable to pollution and should be checked for pathogenic bacteria. The presence of Coliforms in water bodies indicates presence of pathogenic bacteria. Sachet water sold in Owerri is to be properly analyzed for pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp. as this will help prevent once from drinking contaminated water.

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study focuses on evaluating the sterility of sachet water sold in owerri, particularly in Imo State University.