Random survey of the microbial quality of bottled water in South Africa

Ehlers, M.M.; Zyl, Walda B. van; Pavlov, D.N.; Müller, Etienne

doi:10.4314/wsa.v30i2.5065

Cited by 26 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The results obtained in this study were comparable and in agreement with similar reports by other researchers such as Obiri-Danso et al [10] and Ehlers et al [21], which indicates that bottled water generally met the criteria set by the WHO on drinking water quality. However, more extensive surveillance of bottled water industries and more stringent regulations should be developed and enforced to ensure that the standards recorded in this study are maintained.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 83%

“…Microbial numbers may reach a peak after a week of storage and remain fairly constant thereafter [2]. In a random survey of microbial quality of bottled water in South Africa, samples from 10 different brands of bottled water were tested over a period of 3 months duration and although total and faecal coliform were not detected, HPC showed a slight variation during the three-month period [21]. Other studies have shown that high counts of E.coli in bottled water could not be detected within four days [22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bacteriological quality of bottled water sold on the Ghanaian market

Addo¹,

Mensah²,

Donkor³

et al. 2009

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development

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Consumption of bottled water is increasing rapidly in developing countries especially among the middle and high income earners as it is generally perceived to be pure, clean and of good quality. This has led to the sale of different brands of bottled water on the Ghanaian market. Although disease outbreaks due to contaminated bottled water are rare, any contamination may pose a unique hazard because of the widespread distribution. Bacteriological contamination of bottled water can occur through the bottling process or as a result of storage for long periods at room temperatures or higher. Since bottled water may be consumed by a wide range of people including the elderly, children and pregnant women, its safety must always be assured. The bacteriological quality of the current 7 brands of bottled water on the Ghanaian market was tested over a period of 10 weeks. Ten different batches of each brand was randomly selected and purchased from the market making a total of 70 samples. Sampling was done weekly in July-September 2007 and bacteriological examination conducted by multiple tube fermentation method to detect the presence of total coliforms, faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli. Results obtained were analyzed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards and guidelines for drinking water. Using the Most Probable Number (MPN) Index for various combination of positive and negative results, an MPN value of less than two (<2) total and faecal coliform were recorded for all the 70 samples of bottled water. The results showed that the bacteriological quality of the seven brands of bottled water samples analyzed was within the acceptable limits set by WHO guidelines and therefore safe for human consumption. However, more extensive surveillance of the bottled water industries and stringent regulations should be developed and enforced to ensure that the standards recorded in this study are maintained.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bacteriological quality of bottled water sold on the Ghanaian market

Addo¹,

Mensah²,

Donkor³

et al. 2009

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development

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“…This suggests the presence of faecal contamination at these samples, thereby giving an indication concerns over the bacteriological quality of sachet water on sales in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. This deviate from what was somewhat reported elsewhere in and outside Nigeria by some authors (Ehlers et al, 2004;Anunobi et al, 2006;Abayasekara et al, 2007;Prasanna and Reddy, 2009;Kuitcha et al, 2010;Khaniki et al, 2010). It is important to identify if sachet water is contaminated and to prevent the consumption of these samples (Khaniki et al, 2010).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 65%

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

Mgbakor¹,

Ojiegbe²,

Okonko³

et al. 2011

MJM

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Aims: Continuous increase in the sale and indiscriminate consumption of packaged drinking waters in Nigeria is of public health significance. In order to safe guard public health, it is essential that the available packaged water is of the highest quality. This study was carried out to evaluate the bacteriological quality of packaged water on sale in Owerri metropolis, Imo State of Nigeria. Methodology and Results: From 30 registered sachet water factories, 8 samples each was purchased randomly fifteen of the brands of sachet water all over Owerri metropolis in Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria. These were analyzed for presence of bacterial indicators of water quality. Four weeks later, a second batch of the samples was collected from other brands. A mean plate counts was taken and the organisms from each water sample identified using standard procedures. The results showed that 11 (73.3%) sachet water brands had growths of pathogenic organisms in the first batch while 10 (66.6%) had growth in the second batch. The isolates were identified to be Klebsilla spp., Serratia spp., Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Chromobacterium spp. The study showed that Klebsiella pneumoniae [7(29.2%)] was the most predominant. This was closely followed by Serratia spp. [6(25.0%)] and Proteus mirabilis [6(25.0%)]. Pseudomonas aeruginosa [3(12.5%)] and Chromobacterium spp. [2(8.3%)] was least predominant. Mean total heterotrophic bacteria plate counts (HPC) per millilitre ranged from 0.0 to 6.0 x 10 2 CFU/mL at 22 °C and 0.0 to 7.0 x 10 2 CFU/mL at 37 °C (first batch) and 0.0 to 5.0 x 10 2 CFU/mL at 22 °C and 0.0 to 10.0 x 10 2 CFU/mL at 37 °C for the second batch. Thus they fell below the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standard of 100 HPC per millilitre of water. Bacteriological examination of different brands of sachet water samples collected from different locations showed that only Vince water and Akudo table water was found to be safe for drinking while the other brands of sachet water from mobile vendors in Owerri metropolis was not potable. Conclusion, Significance and Impact of study: Hence, the bacteriological quality of some of the brands of sachet water on sale in Owerri was of poor quality index. The study suggests that sachet water could be a route of transmission of enteric pathogens among the populace. In order to safe guard public health, highest quality brands of sachet water is therefore advocated.

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“…A study conducted in Bulawayo reported that, total viable counts where in the range 104 to 151 cfu/ml which is above the bottled water standard of < 100 cfu/ml (Okagbue et al, 2002). In a study conducted in South Africa, HPC were < 100 cfu/ml for most bottled water brands tested, though, one brand of was found to have HPC as high as 2.58 x 10 3 to 1.31 x 10 4 cfu/ml (Ehlers et al, 2004).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%