Parasites Associated with Sachet Drinking Water (Pure Water) in Awka, South-Eastern, Nigeria

Abstract

A study to ascertain the parasites associated with sachet drinking water, (popularly called "Pure Water" in Nigeria), in Awka, capital of Anambra State, southeast Nigeria was conducted. This was in order to determine the safety and suitability of such water for human consumption. Sachet water is a major source of drinking water for low and middle class Nigerians. The increase in demand of this water has led to the proliferation of industries in this sector, because of the economic benefits derivable from the sale. Samples of differently packaged sachet drinking water were purchased from producers, distributors, marketers and hawkers. Samples were observed macroscopically and pH tested. Using a sterile syringe, 10mls of water was taken from each sample and centrifuged at 2,500rpm per minute. Sediments observed were placed on a glass slide and observed microscopically using x10 and x40 objective lens for a possible parasite ova or cyst. The surface of each sachet of the packaged drinking water was also washed thoroughly and the resulting water was centrifuged and observed microscopically. All the tested water samples met the W.H.O. recommended standard, of being colorless, tasteless, odourless with average pH of 6.93. No parasites were found in the water in the sachets but some parasites were found on the surfaces of the sachets. The surface of the sachets of the packaged water purchased from hawkers had the highest number of parasites {15 (41.7%)}. Identified parasites include cysts of Ascaris lumbricoides (5.6%), Entamoeba histolytica (4.6%), hookworm (2.8), Trichuris trichuria (2.8%) and Giardia lamblia cysts (1.9%). Hawkers possibly play a very significant role (χ 2 = 20.21, df =2, p<0.05) in the transmission of parasitic infection from the outside of the sachets through improper handling. It is advocated among others that cleaning and washing of sachets of packaged drinking water before use will aid in breaking the transmission circle.

Bacteriological evaluation of some sachet water on sales in Owerri metropolis, Imo State, Nigeria

“…This is in line with the findings of some other authors in Nigeria and outside (Addo et al, 2009). However, the occurrence of these isolates in sachet water used in this study is in contrast with the findings of some other studies in Nigeria which found no enteric pathogens (Egwari et al, 2005;Ekwunife et al, 2010). Our findings also differ from other study in that no E. coli and E. faecalis were recovered as was reported in a study by Oyedeji et al (2010).…”

Comparing the Parasitological Quality of Water Used in Low and High Level Restaurants in an Urban Setting in Nigeria

“…The most occurring parasite observed in this study was Entamoeba spp (12.31%), followed by Cryptosporidium (10.00%). The peak occurrence rate of Entamoeba histolytica (45.3%) has been recorded by Ani and Itiba (2015), while Ekwunife et al (2010) and Anyanwu et al (2018) observed a lower and non peak prevalence of 4.8% and 3.2% in studies of domestic water sources. Entamoeba histolytica is the principal aetiologic agent of human amoebiasis.…”

Quality Assessment for Some Sachet Water Produced in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu–nigeria

“…It therefore indicates that the water samples contain no pathogens.A similar result was obtained by Egwari et al (2005) in Lagos, South West of Nigeria who in their bacteriology study of sachet water found no Enteric pathogens and Entamoeba coli. More so, Ekwunife et al (2010) carried out a similar study in Awka, South Eastern Nigeria, and no protozoan parasites were detected in sachet drinking water used for their study. However, Alli et al(2011) observed occurrence of parasites in some sampled sachet water in the South West of Nigeria.…”