Bacteriological and physicochemical quality of sachet water sold in the city of N’djamena, Chad

Volume 9, Issue 2, April 2024     |     PP. 37-49      |     PDF (291 K)    |     Pub. Date: September 19, 2024
DOI: 10.54647/biology180370    38 Downloads     1958 Views  

Author(s)

Gilbert Nguepidjo, School of Medico-Sanitary Technicians of Medical Analyzes, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon;Institut Universitaire des Sciences et Techniques de Yaoundé (IUSTY), Département des Sciences Biomédicales et Médico-Sanitaires.
Eliabe Allahnaissessi, Institut Universitaire des Sciences et Techniques de Yaoundé (IUSTY), Département des Sciences Biomédicales et Médico-Sanitaires.
Chimène Sandrine Tonmeu Douyong, Institut Universitaire des Sciences et Techniques de Yaoundé (IUSTY), Département des Sciences Biomédicales et Médico-Sanitaires; National Laboratory of Public Health, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Mireille Kapso Tchouankep, School of Medico-Sanitary Technicians of Medical Analyzes, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon;University of Douala, Faculty of Sciences, Animal Organisms Biology and Physiology Laboratory
Phillipe Salomon Nguwoh, National Laboratory of Public Health, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Christian Taheu Ngounouh, Higher Institute of Sciences and Techniques Applied to Health, University of Douala, Yaounde, Cameroon, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Hortence Gonsu Kamga, University of Yaoundé I, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Chelea Matchawe, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon; The University Institute of International Development, Po Box 206 Mokolo (Far North), Cameroon
Patrice Ngameni Djiele, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon;University of Yaoundé I, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Patrice Olinga Zanga, School of Medico-Sanitary Technicians of Medical Analyzes, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon;Higher Institute of Sciences and Techniques Applied to Health, University of Douala, Yaounde, Cameroon, Department of Biomedical Sciences.

Abstract
Water is a precious and essential natural resource for multiple uses. Given its vital functions in human life, the bacteriological and physicochemical quality of drinking water should comply with international water requirements for public health purposes. Like many African cities, a form of water in plastic bags emerged a few years ago in N'Djamena, to meet the needs of the population. This sachet water, which mainly comes from the formal sector and is consumed daily by the population of N'Djamena, raises concerns about its quality. The present cross-sectional and prospective study aimed to determine the bacteriological and physico-chemical parameters of plastic bag water sold in the town of N'Djamena. Using a non-probability convenience sampling, sachet water samples (n=50) were collected from different brands (n=10) within the city of N'Djamena for a period of three months (March to May 2023). The physicochemical analyses of water (pH, conductivity, turbidity, NH4+, Fe2+, SO42- and NO3- levels, Na+ and K+ levels, and TH, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl- and HCO3- levels) were carried out using pH meter, conductivity meter, turbidimeter, spectrophotometry, flame photometry, and volumetry, respectively. On the other hand, the bacteriological parameters (Escherichia coli count, total coliform count, fecal enterococci count, and total viable count) were undertaken using the filter membrane technique.
Based on the bacteriological parameters, all sachet water samples (100%) violated WHO guidelines and standards for drinking water quality in terms of total coliform and total viable contamination levels. Additionally, 3 out of 50 of water samples (6%) did not comply with WHO and Chad standards based on physicochemical characteristics.
This poor quality of sachet water results from poor production, storage, and transport conditions of this water. Therefore, the consumption of sachet water exposes the populations of N'Djamena to health risks.

Keywords
Sachet water, bacteriological parameters, physicochemical characteristics, pollution, WHO standards, N'Djamena.

Cite this paper
Gilbert Nguepidjo, Eliabe Allahnaissessi, Chimène Sandrine Tonmeu Douyong, Mireille Kapso Tchouankep, Phillipe Salomon Nguwoh, Christian Taheu Ngounouh, Hortence Gonsu Kamga, Chelea Matchawe, Patrice Ngameni Djiele, Patrice Olinga Zanga, Bacteriological and physicochemical quality of sachet water sold in the city of N’djamena, Chad , SCIREA Journal of Biology. Volume 9, Issue 2, April 2024 | PP. 37-49. 10.54647/biology180370

References

[ 1 ] Addo B.E., Amankwaa G., and Gyasi R.M. (2019). Physicochemical and bacteriological quality of sachet water used by Ghanaian university students: implications for public health. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development 9(1):56-63.
[ 2 ] Adesakin T.A., Oyewale A.T., Bayero U., Mohammed A.N., Aduwo I.A., Ahmed P.Z., Abubakar N.D., Barje I.B. (2020). Heliyon 6 (2020) e04773.
[ 3 ] Akiyo O.L.R. (2017). Consommation de l'eau en sachet et ses effets socio-environnementaux dans la Commune de Parakou. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 11(4): 1727-1740.
[ 4 ] Alassane Mama Chabi S., (2015). Incidences socioéconomiques et environnementales de la consommation de l’eau en sachet dans la ville de Parakou, Mémoire de Licence professionnelle en Sociologie Anthropologie, Option Médiation Sociale et Facilitation de Développement FLASH/UP, Parakou, 80 p.
[ 5 ] Allhabo A.A. (2015). Etude qualitative des eaux de forages manuels réalisés dans la zone périurbaine de la ville de N’Djaména/Tchad. Mémoire de Master en environnement.
[ 6 ] Benajiba M. H., Saoud Y., Lamribah A., Ahrikat M., Amajoud N. & Ouled-Zian O. (2013). Evaluation de la qualité microbienne des eaux de la nappe phréatique de Martil au Maroc. Revue des Sciences de l'Eau 26 (3) : 223-233.
[ 7 ] Ble L.O., Soro T.D., Dje K.B. and Dengy G.S. (2015). Eaux conditionnées en Sachets : quels risques d'exposition des populations du district D'Abidjan ? Larhyss Journal 1112-3680 (24) :85-107.
[ 8 ] Chelea Matchawe, Patrice Bonny, Germaine Yandang, Huguette Cecile Yangoua Mafo, and Bonglaisin J. Nsawir (2022). Water Shortages: Cause of Water Safety in Sub-Saharan Africa. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.103927
[ 9 ] Dieng M., Kindossi J., Diop N. & Mbengue M. (2021). Qualité Des Eaux De Boisson Conditionnées En Sachet Vendues Dans La Région De Dakar Au Sénégal. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 17(21), 104. Doi.org/10.19044/esj.2021.v17n21p104
[ 10 ] Frantzy O. (2017). Etude de la qualité de l’eau destinée à la consommation dans le sous-bassin versant de Ravine Diable (Anse-a-veau). Mémoire de Master en Sciences et Gestion de l’Environnement dans les Pays en Développement. Faculté des Sciences. Université Catholique de Louvain. 56 P.
[ 11 ] Hissein H.A. (2020). Etude de la potabilité des eaux conditionnées produites dans la ville de Ouagadougou. Mémoire de Master. 55P.
[ 12 ] Ibrahim I.A., Nono M.M., Hikon B.N, Amuntse Y.E., Pambani R., Abdul A.Z., and Adi A.A. (2022). Physicochemical investigation of sachet water quality consumed in Wukari local government, Taraba state, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Chemistry 2022; 3(2): 53-57.
[ 13 ] ISO 9308-2:1990b (reviewed and updated in 2017: Water Quality C. Detection and Enumeration of Coliform Organisms, Thermotolerant Coliform Organisms and Presumptive Escherichia coli. Part 2: Multiple Tube (Most Probable Number) Method. International Standard
[ 14 ] Kamelé K.Y., Mesmin K.Y., Carole K.A., Kouassi A.M-D., Mea M.W., Tano K. (2022). Physico-chemical parameters of plastic bag water sold at Man (Côte d’Ivoire). International Journal of Biosciences 20(4): 154-162.
[ 15 ] Kouakou L.P.M-S., Kouyate A., Sanou A., Koffi A.E., Tigori M.A., Meite N., Bohoussou K.J-P., Dibi B. (2022). Evaluation of the Physico-chemical Quality of Drinking Water in the City of Daloa (Mid-West of Côte d'Ivoire)-Effects on Human Health. Journal of Health and Environmental Research 8(3): 186-196.
[ 16 ] Messanvi A., Bayi R., Kouassi S., Mensah K., et al., (2022). Évaluation du plan de maitrise sanitaire dans les unités de production d’eau en sachet au Togo : cas des villes de Kara et Sokodé. Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 16(2 : 812-823.
[ 17 ] Mohamed B.A.R. (2014). Evaluation de la pollution des eaux issues de la zone industrielle de Skikda. Mémoire de Master. Faculté des Sciences et de la Vie. Université Constantine1. 110 P.
[ 18 ] Mosi L., Adadey S.M., Sowah S.A. Yeboah C. (2018). Microbiological assessment of sachet water “pure water” from five regions in Ghana. AAS Open Research 2018, 1:12.
[ 19 ] Nguefack S.C.V., Ndjouenkeu R., and Ngassoum M.B. (2018). Pollution De L'eau De Consommation Humaine Et Risques Sanitaires A Court Terme : Cas Du Bassin Versant De La Menoua (Ouest-Cameroun). European Scientific Journal 14 (3): 1857-7881.
[ 20 ] Nguepidjo G., Kapso T., Ngong A., Tonmeu D., et al., (2020). Microbiological Quality of Drinkiing Water in Sachets Sold in the City of Yaoundé in Cameroon: Tests of Sensitivity to the Antibiotics of Bacteria Isolated. Journal of Applied Biotechnology. Doi.org/10.5296/jab.v8il. 16684.
[ 21 ] Ouahchia C., Hamaidi-Chergui F., Hamaidi M et al., (2015). Qualité bactériologique de l'eau potable des différents réservoirs et chez les consommateurs de la commune de Tipaza alimentés par la station de Sidi Amar à partir de l'eau de surface du lac-barrage de Boukourdane. Larhyss Journal, ISSN 1112-3680, n°23. pp. 139-154.
[ 22 ] Soumana (2019). Problématiques de la production de l’eau en sachet dans la ville de Niamey. Mémoire pour l’obtention d’un Master en Ingénierie de l’eau et de l’environnement, option eau et assainissement, Présenté et soutenu publiquement le 3 juillet 2019, Bureau National d’Etudes Environnementales, Republic of Niger.
[ 23 ] Traoré O., Ouédraogo N., Dembélé R., Kpoda D.S., Saba C.K.S., Bonkoungou I.J.O., and Barro N. (2023). Physicochemical and bacteriological quality and safety of packaged drinking water in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Water Supply 23(10): 4346. Doi: 10.2166/ws.2023.249.
[ 24 ] United Nations (2023). NDjamena, Chad Metro Area Population 1950-2023. NDjamena, Chad Metro Area Population 1950-2023. www.macrotrends.net. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
[ 25 ] WHO (2010). Progress on Sanitation and Drinking Water: 2010 Update. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
[ 26 ] WHO (2012). Public Health and Environment in the African Region. World Health Organization, regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville 2012. Afro Library Cataloguing in publication data.
[ 27 ] WHO (2018). Objectifs de Développement Durables 6 : Garantir l’accès de tous à l’eau et à l’assainissement et assurer une gestion durable des ressources en eau. Publié le 26 septembre 2018.
[ 28 ] WHO/UNICEF (2023). Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000–2022: special focus on gender. New York: United Nations.