ABSTRACT
This research aimed to assess the water quality of selected sachet water samples in Benin City metropolis, with a particular focus on physical, chemical, and bacteriological parameters. Four sachet water samples were collected from different manufacturers and subjected to analysis on both day one and day thirty of production. The analyses were conducted at the Benin-Owina River Basin Commission Laboratory situated at the University of Benin, Benin City. The results obtained on day one indicated that pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), suspended solids, turbidity, sulphate, hardness, total chlorine, bromine, iron, lead, zinc, and total coliform levels in the sachet water samples were within the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for drinking water. However, the analysis on day thirty revealed that pH, conductivity, TDS, suspended solids, turbidity, sulphate, hardness, total chlorine, bromine, iron, lead, and zinc in the sachet water samples still complied with the limits recommended by NAFDAC and WHO. On day thirty, Nelan, Uniben, and Jabro table water samples showed total coliform counts of 1 colony-forming unit (cfu), 3 cfu, and 2 cfu, respectively, exceeding the WHO and NAFDAC standards for total coliform. In conclusion, all sachet water samples were deemed suitable for consumption on the first day of production. However, after four weeks of production, Nelan, Uniben, and Jabro water were found to be unsuitable for drinking due to elevated total coliform levels. Only Oja water remained suitable for consumption after four weeks of production.
