BACTERIAL ASSESSMENT OF SACHET WATER SOLD IN AKUNGBA AKOKO AREA OF ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Water is the principal need of all life on earth, and is an essential component for all forms of lives, from microorganisms to man. Considering the myriad brands of sachet water marketed in Akungba axis of Akoko, coincide with the increasing population of student using the water, there is need to determine the bacteriological quality of the water. In this study, five different sachet water brands were studied for bacteria presence. It involved collection of the sachet water, serial dilution, plating, morphological characterization, biochemical test analysis and antibiotics susceptibility testing. In this study, eleven bacterial isolates were recovered which are : Salmonella typhi, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Citrobacter fruendii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. This study shows physiochemical properties of the different brands of the sachet water. The presence of these bacteria in drinking water sources especially sachet packaged water is evidence that most of these were sold sachet water was not properly undergo treatment and purification processes and this should be of public concern. It could be recommended that other additional treatment methods such as addition of chlorine, Aluminium sulphate, boiling and some others should be done on the drinking water sources before consumption. Also, the NAFDAC should intensify on their objective and it should be done before approving production for any sachet water factory and sanitary inspectors are also advised to take responsibilities at all Local, State, and Federal level to avoid health risk for people nationwide Keywords: Water analysis, contaminants, water quality assessment, water pollution control, bacteria.