Enumeration of microbial contaminants in sachet water: a public health challenge

Accessibility and availability of fresh clean water is a key to sustainable development and essential element in health, food production and poverty reduction. In the present study, we have collected water sachet containing CM/L number and they were analysed for physical and bacteriological nature. The organisms isolated in this study were Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas vesicularis and Pseudomonas aeruginosae. The harmful effects of these isolates were evidenced by antibiotic resistance, heavy metal tolerance and antibacterial activity. They were resistant to the antibiotics like amoxiclav, methicillin, chloramphenicol and streptomycin. They showed tolerance to the heavy metals at 5 mM conc. except for lead. For antibacterial activity, they were tested against human pathogens Klebsiella pnemoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Micrococcus leuteus and Salmonella paratyphium. But at the same time these organisms could be exploited for the industrial production of amylase, protease and cellulase.

Microbiological Examination of Sachet Water Due to a Cholera Outbreak in Ibadan, Nigeria

A severe outbreak of cholera in Ibadan (Oyo state, Nigeria) occurred after a devastating flood in August, 2011, causing the death of over 18 persons and several cases of hospitalization. The project aimed at screening sachet water for mi-croorganisms related to water-borne diseases. One hundred sachet water samples were randomly collected. The pH was determined using a digital pH meter. Values ranged between 6.3 - 8.7, with 28% of the samples being above the WHO approved range of 6.4 - 7.6. No residual chlorine was detected. Gram negative isolates were 80%, while 20% were Gram positive. Faecal coliforms above the recommended WHO zero coliforms per 100 mL were 30%. Escherichia coli had the highest incidence (17%), followed by Acinetobacter sp. (12%), Enterobacter aerogenes (11%), Flavobacterium sp. (11%), Proteus mirabilis (11%), Staphyloccocus aureus (10%), Bacillus subtilis (8%), Micrococcus sp. (5%), Streptococcus faecalis (2%), Klebsiella sp. (2%) and Vibrio cholerae (1%). There is urgent need for public awareness campaigns against water-borne diseases.

Quality Assessment of Five (5) Brands of Sachet Water Marketed in Bo City

This study covers some physical, chemical, and bacteriological parameters needed to be tested for drinking water quality. The purpose of the research is to assess and compare the quality of five different brands of sachet water marketed in Bo city and to give relevant recommendation(s) were possible. The results obtained were compared to the standard set for each parameter by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the maximum contaminant level set by the United State Environment Protection Agency (USEPA). Five brands of sachets water were selected in Bo city and their physical and chemical parameters were evaluated in the Njala University Quality Control Laboratory (NUQCL), and their bacteriological evaluation was done in the Sierra Rutile laboratory. The physical parameters tested for were in accordance with the standards set by the WHO with the exception of the temperatures for each brand which were above the WHO standard. The pH of all the sachets water was in the acidic range, below the standard range and the maximum contaminant level set by the WHO and USEPA respectively. This affected the alkalinity of all the sachets water to be zero (0). None of the sachets water completely met the WHO standard and the USEPA maximum contaminant level for all the parameters tested for in this research. In this regard, none of the sachets water is completely recommended for drinking.

Bacteriological safety of plastic-bagged sachet drinking water sold in Amassoma,Nigeria

Objective:To evaluate the bacteriological safety of sachet water sold in Amassoma,a rural community in Bayelsa State,Nigeria.Methods:Six samples of each of the different sachet drinking water brands were bought at random from shop shelves,markets and street vendors and were studies for microbial indicators of safety and quality.Bacterial counts Were analyzed by one-way Analysis of Variance（ANOVA） and significance of differences was tested at 5% probability.Results:Minimum and maximum.counts with regard to the sachet water samples investigated were（4.3±1.1）×106 CFU mL-1 and（8.2±1.0）×106 CFU mL-1 for heterotrophic plate counts;（0.9±0.3）×106 CFU mL-1 and（1.2±0.4）×106 CFU mL-1 for aerobic spore-former counts; （1.3±0.5）×103 CFU mL-1 and（2.5±0.8）×103 CFU mL-1 for total coliforms;（1.6±0.9）×103 CFU mL-1 and（9.5±11.2）×103 CFU mL-1 for thermotolerant coliforms.Klebsiella spp but not Escherichia coli was present in all samples of the brands;non-coliform bacteria detected in some samples were Staphylococcus,Pseudomonas and Bacillus species.Conclusions:The brands of sachet water sold（at the time of this study） in Amassoma did not meet the minimum acceptable standard for microbiologically safe drinking water as recommended by the World Health Organization.

Effect of Storage on the Quality of Sachet-Vended Water in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

Sachet water was introduced in Ghana to provide safe, hygienic and affordable instant drinking water to the general public. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of storage on the quality of sachet-vended water produced in the Tamale Metropolis. Two brands of sachet water were sampled freshly after production (Six packs or bags), transported to the laboratory and analysed. Samples of freshly prepared sachet water were then stored at ambient room temperature (at 27°C), in a refrigerator (at 4°C) and in the sun (at 40°C). Samples from these three storage methods were collected and analysed on a weekly and monthly basis for a period of three months. The physico-chemical parameters were within World Health Organization limits regardless of the mode of storage. The pH of sachet water ranged from 6.69 to 7.89 with a mean of 7.38 ± 0.31. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the physico-chemical parameters for the sachet water under the different storage conditions over the period. The concern however was the low concentration of these major ions, sodium, potassium, total hardness, calcium and magnesium which seem to pose direct health concerns. The counts of total heterotrophic bacteria ranged from 0.0 to 73 cfu/1ml with a mean of 19.16 (SD = 21.61) of the sachet water samples. Total heterotrophic bacteria regrowth was observed on the third week in all brands stored and gradually deceased numerically throughout the study period. Total coliform regrowth ranged from 0.0 to 5 cfu/100 ml. There was significant difference (p Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that Food and Drugs Authority and Ghana standard Board should ensure minerals concentrations of sachet water are improved to meet the general dietary requirement.