Evaluation of Microbial Quality of Packaged Drinking Water Sold in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State

The proliferation of packaged drinking water brands in Nigerian urban centres has raised critical concerns about product safety and regulatory compliance. This study evaluated the microbial quality of packaged drinking water, encompassing both sachet and bottled products, sold in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. A total of sixty samples, consisting of thirty sachet and thirty bottled water products from fifteen brands, were collected from retail outlets across three local government areas. Standard bacteriological analysis methods were employed to determine total viable count, total coliform count, faecal coliform count, and presence of Escherichia coli. Results revealed that 40 percent of sachet water samples exceeded the Nigerian Industrial Standard permissible total viable count of 100 cfu per millilitre, while 23 percent tested positive for total coliforms. Bottled water samples generally demonstrated better compliance, with only 10 percent exceeding total viable count limits. None of the samples contained detectable Escherichia coli at recommended detection limits. Sachet water brands lacking National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control certification consistently showed higher contamination. The study underscores the urgent need for strengthened regulatory surveillance and producer compliance monitoring in Plateau State. Consumers are advised to prioritise certified brands. Keywords: sachet water, bottled water, microbial quality, NAFDAC, Jos.