An Assessment on the Physiochemical and Microbiological Parameters in Selected Sachet Water Sold for Consumption in Old Road Gaye Town Community Montserrado, County

The study assessed the physicochemical and microbiological parameters in five selected sachet water brands that are sold for consumption in the Gaye Town Old Zoo community. The study is significant because the quality of drinking water plays a vital role in the health aspect of all human beings. An experimental design was employed to achieve the goal of the research. The population of the research was 150 and the sample size was 75. The key findings of the research are: The Copper contents in the samples of the five selected brands of sachet water were above the stipulated WHO, (2012) water quality standards for drinking water. The concentrations of Cadmium, Chloride, Iron, Fluoride, pH, Turbidity and Total Hardness in the samples of the five different brands of sachet water met the stipulated standards for drinking water. The concentrations of Nitrite contents in three of the five brands met the stipulated standards for drinking water and the remaining two brands’ concentrations of Nitrite contents were above the stipulated standards. The concentrations of Lead contents in one of the five brands were above the stipulated standards for drinking water. There were no bacteria present in three of the five sachet water brands. However, the presence of E.coli and Fecal Coliform was detected in the remaining two brands of sachet water. To conclude, none of the sachet water brands in the study area met all the parameters of the water quality standards for drinking water for both the Physiochemical and Microbiological parameters in relation to the World Health Organization (2012) drinking water quality standards and the Liberia Water Quality Standards (1987). It is recommended that; sachet water producers should have their water tested regularly especially in areas where fertilizers are commonly used where latrines (pit holes) are prevalent.