Contamination of Commercially Packaged Sachet Water and the Public Health Implications: An Overview

Abstract

Quality water should be colourless, tasteless, odourless and free from faecal contamination. This study investigates the level of contamination of commercially vended packaged water and their public health implications. Published baseline information and data were used in the study. Using different isolation techniques, coliform bacteria of up to 100% and faecal contamination of up to 40% were reported. The consumption of contaminated commercially packaged water by the public has led to different disease conditions and death of millions of people all over the world. This calls for strict adherence to good management practices (GMP) by producers of packaged water, improved monitoring and enforcement of guidelines of production by regulatory bodies according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, increased public awareness and sensitivity to the presence and dangers of consuming such water and creating easy, always potent reporting channels through which disease cases and suspected contaminated water manufacturers could be reported to the authority so as to prevent infection from consumption of such packaged water, diseases and deaths.

Microbiological Quality and Contamination Level of Water Sources in Isiolo County in Kenya

“…Water is an important component of every life [ 1 – 4 ]. Water supply and accessibility is goal 6 of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and aims at ensuring environmental sustainability [ 3 , 4 ]. Historically, efforts to ensure access to safe drinking and food processing water have been focused on the community based water sources [ 5 , 6 ].…”

“…In a bid to promote healthy living among inhabitants of the county, a reliable potable water access is essential for sustainable development, health, food production, and poverty alleviation [ 4 , 10 ]. Water shortage and pollution of the readily accessible water sources are evident in many regions of the developing nations [ 3 , 6 , 11 ]. This is largely attributed to low level of personal hygiene and inadequate treatment facilities for water and wastes that are consequent pollutants [ 12 ].…”

“…Water is susceptible to contamination with microorganisms and organic matter among other pollutants regardless of the source [ 3 , 11 , 18 ]. Significantly, microbial contaminants such as coliforms, E.coli , Cryptosporidium parvum , and Giardia lamblia compromise the safety of the water [ 19 ].…”

“…Presence of Escherichia coli , Klebsiella, and Enterobacter species in water is a likely indicator of the presence of pathogenic organisms such as Clostridium pafringens , Salmonella, and Protozoa [ 18 ]. These pathogens cause diarrhea, giardiasis, dysentery, and gastroenteritis, which is common among the rural dwellers of developing nations [ 2 , 3 , 8 , 20 – 22 ].…”

From curiosity to commodity: a review of the evolution of sachet drinking water in West Africa

“…This Pseudomonas finding signals a need for quality control to refocus on equipment maintenance and hygiene, an approach that may require technical and behavioral changes within the production process . With over six times Ghana's population, Nigeria has experienced slower industry maturation and greater regulatory challenges, and thus, we continue to see poor sachet quality reflected in Nigerian studies as demonstrated in a 2015 review of case reports primarily from Nigeria, but also including Ghana, India, and Egypt …”