Physical, Chemical and Microbiological Analysis of Bottled Water in Pokhara, Nepal

Abstract

Background: Today possibility of rendering water non-potable by various types of contaminants (physical, chemical and biological) is of considerable importance. It is not only the microbial con­taminants but also the physical and chemical contaminants, playing an important role in compro­mising our health in many ways. The aim of this study was to assess the physical, chemical and the microbiological quality of commercially produced bottled water in Pokhara city.
 Methods: A study was conducted to assess the quality of bottled drinking water produced in Pokhara city. Total of 21 brands of bottled water was collected, first batch in monsoon season and second batch in pre-monsoon season, from the market. The physical, chemical and microbial as­sessment was carried out as per National Drinking Water Quality Standards, 2062. Coefficient of variation and t-test were applied where applicable.
 Results: Better water quality was found in Pre-monsoon season than that of monsoon season, in regard to microbial assessment. None of the samples in first batch tested positive for coliform whereas in second batch 38.2% of samples tested positive for coliform. Coefficient of variation for pH and chloride content was, 8.9% and 6.1%, 35.6% and24.19%, in pre-monsoon and monsoon season respectively. Both were found to be statistically significant. While other tested parameters were within normal limits.
 Conclusions: The quality bottled drinking water available for sale do not meet the standards given by National Drinking Water Quality Standards, particularly the microbial quality.

An analysis of drinking water quality parameters to achieve sustainable development goals in rural and urban areas of Besisahar, Lamjung, Nepal

“…As excessive TD protects pathogenic microorganisms from disinfectants, it poses a health risk to people who consume it (Tiwari & Singh, 2014). Our results were similar to those of bottled drinking water from Pokhara (Maskey et al, 2020) and from the Chimdi Lake in the Sunsari District of Nepal (Das, 2017). It has been found that the 51.5% of samples (Sudarshana et al, 2019), 36% of samples from groundwater (Koju et al, 2014), and bottled drinking water (Burlakoti et al, 2020) in Kathmandu, as well as spring drinking water of central development region of Nepal (Pandey & Shakya, 2011), have exceeded the WHO guidelines.…”

“…All samples analyzed in this study were found to be within the NDWQS and WHO allowable limits. Other studies have shown that the EC values varied from 1.00 to 48 in bottled drinking water supplied to Pokhara (Maskey et al, 2020) and from 312.2 to 377.8 μS/cm in Chimdi Lake of Sunsari District, Nepal (Das, 2017). Furthermore, 2% of samples (Koju et al, 2014) and 16.5% of samples (Sudarshana et al, 2019) in Kathmandu Valley exceeded the NDWQS and WHO guidelines for EC.…”

“…The results of all water samples were found to be lower than the permissible limit of the NDWQS and WHO. Maskey et al (2020) determined the hardness range in the drinking water in Pokhara City, Nepal, from 2 to 166 mg/L. Interestingly, 0.8% of the groundwater samples (Koju et al, 2014) and 51.6% of drinking water samples (Sudarshana et al, 2019) in Kathmandu, Nepal, had hardness levels above the WHO standard.…”

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene of Nepal: Status, Challenges, and Opportunities

“…Furthermore, the use of commercially available packaged bottled water, tanker water, and jar water does not guarantee that their products are free from contamination. For example, 92% of 50 samples of bottled water in Kathmandu were contaminated with coliforms, and in Pokhara, 38.2% of 21 samples were positive for coliform …”

“…For example, 92% of 50 samples of bottled water in Kathmandu were contaminated with coliforms, 64 and in Pokhara, 38.2% of 21 samples were positive for coliform. 65 3.2. Sanitation in Nepal.…”