ASSESSMENT OF SOME PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS LEVELS IN SACHET DRINKING WATER AND ITS EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH IN KATSINA URBAN AREA, NIGERIA
Abstract
This study aims to establish the levels of somephysicochemical properties in Sachet (Table) drinking
water samples collected from 20 different sachet water
samples brands and the effects of these on human
healths in Katsina Urban Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. A
total of 20 (20 each) sachet water samples were collected
during dry and wet seasons of the year 2013. The gross
appearance of Physicochemical parameters; pH, Electric
Conductivity (EC), Turbidity, Hardness, Calcium (Ca),
Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Barium (Ba) and Fluoride
(F) were analyzed using standard analytical techniques.
The analysis yielded the following mean values with
range: pH (6.4 – 6.8), Conductivity (145.2 – 161.1
ohm/cm), Turbidity (5 – 5 ntu), Hardness (132 – 171.7
mg/l), Ca (5.4 – 16.9 mg/l), Na (0.01 – 0.03 mg/l), K (0.02
– 0.08 mg/l), Ba (7.3 – 10.5 mg/l) and F (0.5 – 1.7 mg/l).
These results support the conclusions that, the pH, EC,
Turbidity, Hardness, Calcium, Sodium and Potassium
average values of the sachet water samples analysed in
dry and wet season of this study are within the acceptable
limits set by WHO for safe drinking water. However the
mean values of Ba analysed during dry and wet season of
this study are above the maximum permissible levels set
by the WHO for safe drinking water. Only dry season
water samples average values of F is above the
acceptable limits set by the WHO drinking water. The
sachet water from Katsina Urban Area should be used
with care as Barium and Fluoride parameters which have
harmful human health effects were detected in the water.
Thus, sachet drinking water in Katsina Urban Area
unfortunately, is not quite safe, because some of the
parameters analysed were above the maximum
permissible limit set by the WHO in drinking water. It is
noted that, the treatment process in Sachet water in the
study area is done by "experience" and not by scientific
method. This system is very dangerous and should be
discarded with immediately. To prevent this, Government
should provide a scientifically equipped laboratory for
testing sachet water produced any company before
reaching the consumer