ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, HEAVY METAL CONTENT, AND BATERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BOTTLED WATER CONSUMED IN KANO METROPOLIS, KANO, NIGERIA

Drinking water quality for human consumption is a global matter of paramount importance. The study aimed to assess the physicochemical, heavy metal, and bacteriological quality of selected branded bottled water sold within Sabongari Market, Fagge Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria. A total of 5 samples comprising of 5 different brands were randomly brought from different companies. Physicochemical parameters, heavy metals and bacteriological quality of branded plastic bottled water samples such as Temperature, pH, Electrical conductivity, Total dissolved solids, turbidity, Cadium, Lead, Copper, chromium, Chloride, Nitrate and Phosphate were analyzed using standard methods of water analysis. The temperature of the branded plastic bottled water sample ranged from 26.3 ±0.458 to 29.067±0.4, pH of the water sources examined ranged from 6.797±0.26 to 8.943±0.223, the total dissolved solids (TDS) ranged between 23.86± 0.269 and 126.3±1.308 mg/l, the electrical conductivity (EC) ranged between 36.103±11.356 and 184.767±0.231 μS/cm, and the turbidity ranged between 2.0±0.0 and 50.0±0.0 NTU, Nitrate ranged between 0.08±0.01 and 0.307±0.029, all brands were within the maximal permissible ceilings based on (WHO, NAFDAC and NSDWQ 2007) standards for the listed parameters above expect for brand E which record 8.943±0.223 for pH, and brand C and D which records 7.333±1.1 and 50.0±0.0 respectively for turbidity. Mean levels of chloride, Phosphate, Chromium, lead, copper, and cadmium were below the maximal permissible ceilings based on (WHO, NAFDAC and NSDWQ 2007). Presence of heavy metals suggests possible contamination sources. Samples were analyzed for the presence of bacterial indicators of water quality using standard microbiological method. The result of Total aerobic Plate counts (APC) ranged from 2.06x102 -3.8x10 2 cful/ml of the entire brand. All the bottled water brands had a mean (APC) greater than 100cfu/ml of bottled water standard. Eschericia coli were detected in brand A and B, and were above the zero cfu/ per 100milliter of bottled water standard. No pathogenic bacteria were isolated. Bacteriological findings indicate hygiene level during processing. Effective implementation of WHO water safety plans from the catchment source to the consumer through campaign awareness can reduce level of exposure to stake holders to protect and store bottle water against sunlight exposure, chemicals and cleaning reagent.