ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF BOTTLED/SACHET WATER COMMONLY MARKETED IN GADAU COMMUNITY, BAUCHI STATE

ABSTRACT This study investigated the physicochemical parameters of bottled/sachet water commonly marketed in Gadau community, Bauchi State. Portable water samples (bottled/sachet) were randomly purchased within Gadau and environs. The water samples represent two (2) brands of bottled water and three (3) brands of sachet water available at the time of the research. The water samples were opened in the laboratory and analyzed separately using standard methods of analysis for all the parameters of interest. The findings of this study revealed the following mean values with range: turbidity (1.02 to 1.35 NTU), pH (5.55 to 6.55), temperature (29.80 - 31.30°C), total dissolved solids(51.7 to 170 mg/L), total hardness (32 to 58 mg/L), electrical conductivity (221.0µS/cm to 223.0µS/cm), Alkalinity (23 to 56 mg/L), chloride ion (11.99 to 13 mg/L), nitrate ion (5.6 to 12 mg/L), and heavy metals such as Pb (0.00 to 0.001 mg/l), Cd (0.000 to 0.0001 mg/l), and Fe (0.05 to 0.003 mg/l) were within the national and international guidelines. On the average, the sachet and bottled water samples were of good quality. And therefore, concluded that Physicochemical properties analyzed in all the samples were within the recommended WHO limit. However, it is also recommended that care should be taken from manufacture to consumption to avoid water related diseases.