Assessment of Microbial Load of Produced Sachet Water in Ozoro Community, Delta State, Nigeria
J. O. Orogu *
Department of Microbiology, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria.
A. E. Aphiar
Department of Microbiology, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria.
O. Ukolobi
Department of Microbiology, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria.
U. B. Okobia
Department of Microbiology, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria.
P. O. Obiebi
Department of Microbiology, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study assessed the microbial load of produced sachet water in Ozoro Community as a means to determine the microbial concentration of produced sachet water. The grab method of water sampling was employed in the collection of sachet water samples around Ozoro community. These samples were collected from different retail outlets and labeled with codes ranging from SW-1 – SW-7. The samples transported immediately to the laboratory for analysis. The results obtained showed that the microbial loads ranged from 0.5MPN/100ml to 20MPN/100ml across the sachet water sample for coliform. The observed presence of coliform in the sachet water samples can be attributed to a gap in production/treatment process as well as failure of some production facilities to adhere to good sanitation practices and/or contamination of water wells by pollution sources. In conclusion, the sachet water samples in Ozoro community are unsafe for direct drinking and should not be consumed since microbial growth may persist in them overtime.
Keywords: Assessment, load, microbial, ozoro, sachet, water