Quality characteristics of commercial bottled water sold in Owerri, Nigeria

The quality characteristics of commercial bottled water sold in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria were investigated to determine their physical, chemical and bacteriological content. The four brands of bottled water investigated were Mevok ®, Ozonized April ®, Lacrystal ® and Eva ®. The mean turbidity value of all the samples were above the WHO recommended standard except Mevok ® bottled water with turbidity value of 4(NTU). All the other physical characteristics values were lower than the WHO standards. The overall mean values recorded for sulphate (0.57 ppm), iron (0.05 ppm), copper (0.02 ppm), nitrate (1.68 ppm), alkalinity (1.73 ppm), zinc (0.13 ppm), and calcium (4.00 ppm) were equally lower than the WHO minimum standard for drinking water. The mean pH value (6.4) and all individual sample values were below the WHO standard of 6.5-8.5. The total coliform and total viable bacterial counts were too high and were well above the WHO specifications. The presence of Staph. aureus and E. coli in Mevok ® and April ® samples respectively indicated that the brands are not fit for human consumption. Keywords: Bottled water, water quality, portability, bacterial, public health, NigeriaIJOTAFS Vol. 1 (1) 2007: pp. 57-6