Evaluation of the physicochemical and microbial quality of three bottled water samples sold at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike:- Muoghalu Chiamaka

ABSTRACT

 In this study, different bottled water brands in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture were compared and analysed. The standard water testing methods were used to access the physicochemical and microbiological quality of these samples (Mr V Table Water, CW A Y Table Water, Eva Table Water and Pax Table Water). The four water samples do not conform to the World Health Organization acceptable standards of zero bacteria for drinking water as they contain significant amount of bacteria ranging from 3.5x 10'CFU/ml to 4.45x 1O'CFU/ml. However, Eva water had the lowest Total Bacteria Count of 3.5 x 10\. The four samples showed zero presence of Fungal and Coliform microorganisms which are within the WHO standard for zero condition for portable water. The physicochemical parameters such as; Electrical Conductivity (EC), pH, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), Hardness, Iron (Fe), Chloride (Cl), Nitrate (N), Fluoride (F) and Copper (Cu) were all below WHO acceptable limits for all water samples tested except for the alkalinity that ranged from 140.35 mg/I to 145.23 mg/l and phosphorous (0.79-0.94) which were found to be above the permissible limit of 50 mg/l and zero respectively as recommended by the World Health Organization. Public awareness should also be created that bottled water may still be impure, despite appearing attractive and convenient.