QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF CHEMICAL COMPONENTS OF SACHET WATERS CONSUMED BY RESIDENTS IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Aim/Objective: This study evaluates the chemical quality of sachet waters sold and consumed by residents of Bayelsa state in comparison with WHO and national standards. Five commonly sold brands of sachet water were chosen. A total of fifteen sachets per brand of water were purchased randomly at different places and used for this study. Seven chemical parameters (Th, Pb, Fe, Zn, Cr, Cd & Cu) were analyzed at the Bayelsa State Water Board Quality Control Laboratory. Results: Findings from this study shows Th 17.10mg/l in sachet water ABC and E while D has 34.21mg/l compared with WHO and national standard permissible range of 100 to 150mg/l. Traces of ‘Cu’ was absent from among the different samples obtained for this study. Heavy metals such as Pb,Cr and Cd were not observed in all the samples. However a small concentration of “Fe” (0.01 and 0.02mg/l) was found in sample C and E only compared with WHO (0.3mg/l) standard. Conclusion: This study shows that the different brands of sachet water tested were chemically safe and suitable for drinking purpose. However water concentration ≤ 50ppm (50mg/l) in terms of hardness is considered soft though with no significant physiological health risk but may thus lack some beneficial minerals such as Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺. Hence regular consumers of these waters can do well by supplementing their diets with food rich in the minerals lacking in soft waters.