ABSTRACT

The survival of Escherichia coli in bottled water sample exposed to sunlight for a period of 8 days was determined. The 32 bottled water were brought from seven-up bottling company plc., Ogbor-Hill Aba, Abia State and freshly prepared Escherichia coil was inoculated into 24 of the bottle water sample in 3 different concentration 1.0ml (1.32 x 10⁵), 0.5m1 (1.22 x 10⁵) and 0.2ml. (1.13 x 10⁵) while the remaining 8 bottled water were used as control. There was a sharp decrease in the growth rate of the cell in day I — 5. but not a total disappearance of the cells at the end of 8 days, although, there was no consistent decrease in number of coliform cell count down the days due to irregularities in the intensity of sunlight during this period of study. The control showed no growth. This is an indication of adequacy care in the method used by seven up company plc. This study shows that Escherichia coli can survive in bottled water exposed to sunlight. Therefore, regulatory agencies should always monitor and inspect water supplied to consumers to ensure safety.