BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF BOTTLED WATER IN DAMATURU, YOBE STATE

Abstract Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential for human health and development. In Nigeria, unreliable municipal water supplies have led to increased dependence on bottled water, which is widely perceived as safer for consumption. However, microbial contamination of bottled water remains a public health concern. This study was conducted to assess the bacteriological quality of bottled water sold in Damaturu, Yobe State, with the aim of determining whether the available brands meet international microbiological safety standards. Five different bottled water brands were randomly selected from shops and vendors across Damaturu. The samples were analyzed using standard microbiological techniques, including culturing on Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, and Eosin Methylene Blue agar, followed by Gram staining and biochemical tests for bacterial identification. The total bacterial count and presence of coliforms and Escherichia coli were determined and compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits for drinking water. Results revealed that all bottled water samples had bacterial counts below the WHO limit of 100 CFU/ml, indicating generally acceptable microbial loads. However, some brands showed contamination with coliforms and E. coli, suggesting lapses in hygiene and possible post-production contamination. The identified bacterial species included Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli.