PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SACHET WATER AND HEALTH IMPLICATION ON CALABAR POPULATION

This present study was undertaken to study the physicochemical properties in sachet water generally known as “pure water” produced and sold in Calabar metropolis Cross River state, located in South South, Nigeria. In this research, sachet water from various producers, sources and distributors were analyzed for its physicochemical properties including PH, Chloride, Fluoride, and TDS. Samples were collected randomly from six (8) different locations/ towns in Calabar metropolis. The samples were analyzed for its physicochemical properties. The results of the analyses were compared with the permissible limit set by WHO, NSDWQ. It was found that most of the parameters were in the expected range of the permissible limits set by WHO, NSDWQ. However, the pH 6.13 – 8.40 of the sachet water samples tends to be acidic below the expected range 6.5–10.5. I recommend that water producing industries should site their raw water site in a safe location free from contamination, the government should involve the participation of equipped private and government hospitals with good laboratory to monitor and report accordingly the situation of all water packaging industries in their vicinity, the government should also involve the participation of genuine and reputable individuals to produce and provide paid pipe borne waters to people in their community and regulatory bodies such as SON and NAFDAC should take responsibility by continually re-assessing the production and packaging quality of drinking water in every community.