Bacteriological quality of bottled water sold on the Ghanaian market

Abstract

Consumption of bottled water is increasing rapidly in developing countries especially among the middle and high income earners as it is generally perceived to be pure, clean and of good quality. This has led to the sale of different brands of bottled water on the Ghanaian market. Although disease outbreaks due to contaminated bottled water are rare, any contamination may pose a unique hazard because of the widespread distribution. Bacteriological contamination of bottled water can occur through the bottling process or as a result of storage for long periods at room temperatures or higher. Since bottled water may be consumed by a wide range of people including the elderly, children and pregnant women, its safety must always be assured. The bacteriological quality of the current 7 brands of bottled water on the Ghanaian market was tested over a period of 10 weeks. Ten different batches of each brand was randomly selected and purchased from the market making a total of 70 samples. Sampling was done weekly in July-September 2007 and bacteriological examination conducted by multiple tube fermentation method to detect the presence of total coliforms, faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli. Results obtained were analyzed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards and guidelines for drinking water. Using the Most Probable Number (MPN) Index for various combination of positive and negative results, an MPN value of less than two (<2) total and faecal coliform were recorded for all the 70 samples of bottled water. The results showed that the bacteriological quality of the seven brands of bottled water samples analyzed was within the acceptable limits set by WHO guidelines and therefore safe for human consumption. However, more extensive surveillance of the bottled water industries and stringent regulations should be developed and enforced to ensure that the standards recorded in this study are maintained.

Bacteriological and Physical Quality of Locally Packaged Drinking Water in Kampala, Uganda

“…Furthermore, none of the samples of both bottled water and sachet water were positive for faecal coliform and exceeded the acceptable turbidity level and pH range. This finding is consistent with the finding of other studies conducted by [ 9 , 13 , 32 , 39 ] who found out no microbial indicators of faecal contamination in packaged water.…”

“…Unsafe water is a global public health threat, placing persons at risk for a host of diarrhoeal diseases as well as chemical intoxication [ 12 ]. Although disease outbreaks due to contaminated packaged water are not common, any possible contamination may lead to widespread epidemic because of the high demand and coverage [ 13 ]. Therefore access to an adequate and safe water supply is very important and can result in significant benefits to health [ 14 ].…”

Virological and bacteriological quality of drinking water in Ethiopia

“…This good quality may be due to the current follow-up and enforcement of the bottled water companies to adhere to good manufacturing practice by the regulatory body. This is in consistent with the study done in Ghana (Addo et al 2009) which found coliforms none detectable in any of the examined brands of bottled drinking waters.…”

A Review of the Suitability of Using Eco-Efficiency Principles in Managing Environmental Impacts of the Packaged Water Industry in Ghana

“…The consumption of sachet water also poses a considerable health threat to the many Ghanaians that depend on it as numerous researchers have raised concerns about the quality of sachet water. Studies conducted in various Ghanaian cities (Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Cape Coast) found that mineral levels are often within WHO guidelines for potable water among randomly selected sachets, but many exceeds acceptable levels of fecal coliforms, total coliforms and bacteria (Obiri-Danso et al, 2003;Dodoo et al, 2006;Ampofo et al, 2007;Kwakye-Nuako et al, 2007;Okioga, 2007;Addo et al, 2009;Ackah et al, 2012;Osei et al, 2013). Consumption of contaminated sachet water was identified as one of the major causes of a cholera outbreak in the country in 2011, an epidemic due to the unfortunate quality plight of the industry (Ackah-Arthur, 2011).…”