Investigation of the physicochemical, microbial and trace metals properties of selected packaged drinking water sold in Kansanga, Kampala, Uganda.
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Date
2019-08
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School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the physicochemical and microbial properties of Packaged
Drinking Water, sold in Kansanga, Kampala. Seventy-two samples were selected by systematic
random sampling from local stores in the study area. Three types of Packaged Drinking Water
samples (bottled, sachet and handtied) were selected. Spring water samples were used as
control samples. Titrimetric techniques were used to determine the Chlorides, Alkalinity and
the Total Hardness, while Nitrogen and Phosphorus were determined by Colorimetric methods.
The Spread plate technique was used to determine the microbiological purity. Flame atomic
absorption spectrophotometry was employed in the determination of Trace Metals. The results
showed that the mean values pH, electrical conductivity, colour, turbidity, alkalinity, nitrates,
phosphates, chloride and total hardness in all the samples were within the recommended limits
of the Ugandan National Bureau of Standards, UNBS (2011). The results of the microbial
analysis for total plate count showed that there were microbiological contaminations in the
water samples. Except for one bottled water sample (sample BJ), there were no contaminations
from total coliform or E. coli found in all bottle water samples. Sachet Water samples having
the highest mean concentration of 0.013 + 0.009 mg/L. ANOVA (F:4, α = 0.05) indicated that
there were no significant differences in the microbial properties (p < 0.05) for all the PDW
samples. Differences, were indicated in the level of metal contaminations. Multiple comparison
with Least Significant Differences, LSD, showed that the differences were from both hand-tied
and untreated spring water samples. While water samples seemed to be of safe physicochemical
properties, contamination by microbes, above the CFU/ml limit recommended by UNBS for
drinking water, were visible in all the types of PDW samples. Bottle water is the safest PDW
type sold in Kansanga. Two hand-tied samples HC (9.00 ±26.46) and HE (553±4.16) were
contaminated with total coliform and sample HI (1.60 ±2.89) was contaminated with E. coli.
Except for Hand-tied and Sachet water samples, that were found to be contaminated with Pb,
the PDW were found to have safe levels of Mn, Cu, Pb, Fe and Zn. However, it is recommended
that one should know the hygiene status of person that prepare the Handtied before buying and
even consuming. It is also recommended that care should be taken from manufacture to
consumption to avoid water related diseases.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the department of physical sciences, school of engineering and applied sciences, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Award of Master of Science in Chemistry of Kampala International University
Keywords
Investigation, Physicochemical, Microbial, Trace metals properties, Packaged drinking water, Uganda.