Potability of some selected sachet water sold in Bwari area Council Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria along the production and distribution chain

Potability of water is the degree to which water is safe and clean. This study focuses on the potability of some selected sachet water sold in Bwari area council of FCT Nigeria. Samples of sachet water of 4 different brands were collected at random, and then subjected to bacterial assessment and antibiotics susceptibility. Most probable number technique were employed for the detection of coliforms and spread plate technique for bacteria loads. A total of 138 isolates were obtained from this study. Seventy-three (73) isolates were obtained from the source of water while 10 isolates were obtained from the sachet water collected from the factories just after production process. Hand swab of the factory workers showed a total of 24 isolates while 15 and 16 isolates were obtained from the distributors. This shows microbial recontamination after treatment processes along the distribution chain. The highest number of bacteria isolated was 44 isolates and this was obtained from brand D. Brand A and B both had 33 isolates while brand C had 28 isolates which represented the least number of bacteria isolated. The microorganism isolated from the four brands analyzed were not significantly difference (p≥ 0.05). Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus spp was the most frequently isolated bacteria. All the brands of sachet water analyzed were below the drinking water standards set by WHO and are of doubtful quality. Care must be taken as these product moves from production sites to consumers. There is also need for regular monitoring of the production process by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.