Bacteriological Quality of Sachet Water (Pure Water) Produced and Sold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Sachet water, commonly called pure water, constitutes the primary drinking water source for millions of Nigerians in urban and peri-urban areas, yet quality control oversight of small-scale sachet water producers remains inconsistent. This study evaluates the bacteriological quality of sachet water produced and sold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South South Nigeria. Forty sachet water brands were randomly purchased from retail outlets across four local government areas and analysed using multiple tube fermentation and membrane filtration techniques. Total coliform, faecal coliform, and heterotrophic plate count were determined. Results are compared against NAFDAC regulatory standards and WHO drinking water quality guidelines. Seventeen of 40 brands (42.5 percent) contained detectable total coliforms, while faecal coliforms were found in 10 brands (25 percent). Heterotrophic plate counts exceeded 100 cfu/ml in 35 percent of samples. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species were the dominant isolates from positive samples. Contamination was more prevalent in brands lacking visible NAFDAC registration numbers and stored under direct sunlight at retail points. The study attributes quality failure to inadequate sachet sealing, post-production handling, and inconsistent NAFDAC enforcement among small producers. Recommendations include mandatory bacteriological testing before product release, improved retail storage conditions, and strengthened NAFDAC field inspection capacity in Rivers State. Keywords: sachet water, bacteriological quality, NAFDAC, Port Harcourt, coliform