Detection and Antibiogram of Bacteriological Contaminants in Commonly Consumed Sachet Water in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Potable water serves as an important source for primary prevention of diseases
and the foundation for the prevention and control of water borne diseases. This
study was conducted to determine the bacteriological quality of ten (10) brands
of sachet water commonly consumed in Dutse urban, Jigawa state, Nigeria
using Membrane Filtration Technique method for enumeration of both total
coliform and fecal coliform counts. Eosin methylene blue, Salmonella Shigella
and plate count media as well as membrane filters with 0.45µm pore size were
used. Total bacterial counts for all the water samples were not within the
recommended limits by regulatory bodies; Environmental Protection Agency,
World Health Organization, and National Agency for Food and Drugs
Administration and Control. Results revealed that the sampled sachet water was
contaminated with Klebsiella aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella
paratyphi A, Shigella flexneri, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis and
Streptococcus pyogenes. However, Ofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin revealed 100%
potency against all the seven bacterial isolates while Augmentin have no effect
(0%) on any of the bacterial isolates. Appropriate treatment processes should
be utilized for the production of packaged water meant for human consumption.
Again, drinking water regulatory bodies should be proactive in monitoring the
adherence of drinking water manufacturers to regulated processing standards.