Physiochemical Properties of Sachet Water in Aba
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
MAIN OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this research was therefore to determine the physio-chemical properties of sachet water sold in Aba.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
The specific objectives included:
- To assess bacteriological contamination levels of sachet water in Aba.
- To observe and characterize physical properties of sachet water during prolonged storage Scenarios.
- To create awareness amongst potential and target communities of sachet water
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The biological assessment of water bodies has helped a lot in relating the presence and the concentration of certain minerals and ions to the condition of the water. This research has been embarked upon by many researchers both corporate and individuals and has till date succeeded in providing the bases for acceptance and resulting of certain water sources. These works have all been polished and there is now a strong belief that the degree perfection of a particular water is relative, considering its context of purposes. These standards depends on the properties of the water which automatically affects mineral concentration. These properties or characteristics can be physical or chemical.
IMPORTANCE OF WATER
Water is one of the most important substances on earth, all living organisms depend on this substance for life. It is a liquid at standard ambient temperature and pressure, but can also exist as a solid or gas. Excluding fat, water composes approximately 70% of the human body by mass. It is a crucial component of metabolic processes and serves as a solvent for many bodily solutes. Water has so many uses, including cooking, washing and recreation. It is also necessary for the healthy growth of farm crops and farm stock and also plays an important role in the manufacture of many products. On earth 96.5% of the planets water is found in seas and oceans, 1.7% in groundwater, 1.7% in glaciers and the ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland (Greenhalg, 2001). It is reported that less than 0.3% of all freshwater is in rivers, lakes and the atmosphere, and an even smaller amount of the Earth‘s freshwater is contained in biological bodies (Kortatsi, 2006). Some health authorities have suggested that people drink at least eight glasses, of water per day (1.89 litres)
(USEPA, 2000) and the British Dietetic Association recommends 1.8 litres (Greenhalg, 2001).Over large parts of the world, humans have inadequate access to potable water and use sources contaminated with disease vectors, pathogens or unacceptable levels of toxins or suspended solids. Reduction of waterborne diseases is a major public health goal in developing countries.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER
pH
This is described as the general measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the water sample. The pH of water on a scale of 0 to 14, is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration, water contains both ions and OH ins. Pure distilled water contains equal number of H and OH ions and is considered to be natural (pH7), neither basic nor acidic (Mitihell et al 2007). Acidity measures the amount of base required to neutralize a given sample to a specific point, this certainly changes the quality of the water (APHA, 1999). Alkalinity is due to the presence of carbonates (CO32-) and bicarbonates (HCO3), (Frederic et al 2006). The level of alkalinity of water depends on the location of the sample sources. Rain water can be used to determine the solubility of chemical form of most substances, for example, hydroxides of many metals are insoluble, therefore the higher the pH, the less metal available in water (Frank, 2005). It has been noted that alkaline water are noted that alkaline water are not typical of Africa (Holden et al 2006). The pH may be determined by either electronic or calorimetric methods. The glass electrode H, meter is the most widely used method and it is quick and accurate. The color of the solution does not affect results, but accurate figures cannot be obtained if the water is oily.
TEMPERATURES
Temperature is significant because biochemical reactions eg. uptake of oxygen by bacterial proceed more rapidly at a high temperature. Temperature also affect the solubility of oxygen in water, with less oxygen available for aquatic life at higher temperatures. This means that aquatic life is more vulnerable during the summer period when the flows are low and water temperature are high. Elevated temperatures can occur where thermal discharges form power stations and this can lead to thermal pollution.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
STUDY AREA
Aba is a city in the southeast of Nigeria and the commercial center of Abia State. Upon the creation of Abia state in 1991, Aba was divided into two local governments areas namely; Aba South and Aba North. Aba south is the main city centre and the heart beat of Abia State, south-east Nigeria. It is located on the Aba River. Aba is made up many villages such as; Aba-Ukwu, Eziukwu-Aba, Obuda-Aba, Umuokpoji-Aba and other villages from Ohazu merged due to administrative convenience.
Aba was established by the Ngwa clan of Igbo People of Nigeria as a market town and then later a military post was placed there by the British colonial administration in 1901. It lies along the west bank of the Aba River, and is at the intersection of roads leading to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Umuahia, Ikot Ekpene, and Ikot Abasi. The city became a collecting point for agricultural products following the British made railway running through it to Port Harcourt. Aba is a major urban settlement and commercial centre in a region that is surrounded by small villages and towns.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Demographic Characteristic of Respondents
Table 1 Demographic Characteristic of Respondents by Local Government Area
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
CONCLUSION
People’s assessment on the quality and health implications of the major brands of sachet water in two local governments of Aba South and Aba North in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria revealed that sensory evaluation of the products with regards to colour, odour and wareness of water borne diseases were low while taste, particle size or suspended material perceptions and health hazard of the main brands were alarming. The physico-chemical characteristics of the sachet waters were within the recommended limits of the NSDWQ while the total coliform and mesophilic counts were above the recommended limits, calling for more proactive regulations and monitoring of the sachet water factories in the study area, to ensure safety of public health in the study area.
RECOMMENDATION
It is therefore suggested that extensive surveillance of the industry is necessary and more stringent regulations by the regulatory and statutory agencies (NAFDAC and SON) should be developed and enforced to safeguard the health of the people. Also, an environmental awareness campaign should be organized to educate members of the community on the proper disposal of waste, management and protection of their water resources. These would drastically reduce acute problem of water related diseases, which are endemic to the health of man.
- Further studies should be conducted within the area to determine the sources of bacterial contamination.
- The Nigeria Urban Water Company Limited and The Food and Drugs Authority should carry out thorough checks on the facilities of these water producers before licensing them.
- The regulatory authorities mentioned above should undertake routine checks of licensed sachet water seller.
- The producers of these sachet water should also be sensitized on the need to keep their premises neat to prevent contamination.
REFERENCES
- Adegoke, O. A., Bamigbowu, E. O., Oni, E. S.and Ugbaja K. N., (2012): Microbiological Examination of Sachet Water Sold in Aba, Abia – State, Nigeria: Global Research Journal of Microbiology 2(1): 062 –066
- Ajayi, A. A. Sridhar, M. K. C., Adekunle, L. V and.Oluwande P.A. (2008) : Quality of packed water sold in Ibadan, Nigeria. African Journal of Bio-remedial Research 11: 251-225
- APHA, (2005) : Standard Method for the examination of water and wastewater, (21st ed). Washington, DC APHA, ISBN0875530478
- Alkem Murray Corp (AMC) (2006) : Interpreting Water Analysis Test Results. Available online at: http//www.alkenmurray.com/TESTS01.htm
- Anuonye J. C., Maxwell O. M. and Caleb M. Y. (2012): Quality of sachet water produced and marketed in Minna metropolis, North Central Nigeria, African Journal of Food Science 6(24): 583-588.
- Dada, A.C (2009): Sachet water phenomenon in Nigeria: Assessment of the potential health impacts, African Journal of Microbiology Research 3(1): 15-21.
- Edema M. O, Atayese A. O, and Bankole M. O (2011) : Pure Water Syndrome: Bacteriological quality of sachet- packed drinking water sold In Nigeria. African Journal Food, Agriculture. Nutrition. Development. 11(1):4595-4609.
