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Evaluation of Microbiological Quality of Commercially Available Bottled Water in the City of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder‡
Department of Environmental Science, Stamford University Bangladesh

K. M. Nazmul Islam
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong

Rezwanun Naher Nite
Department of Environmental Science, Stamford University Bangladesh

Rashed Noor
Department of Microbiology, Stamford University Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Bottled water has become one of the most popular drinks in Bangladesh. Now a days it is easily available in the market. Due to lack of confidence on municipal supply water, people now prefer to drink bottled water instead of tap water, mostly when they are outside the home, and in many occasions. In the present study, the presence of total coliforms (TC) and fecal coliforms (FC) from nine commercially available local Bangladeshi bottled water samples were examined. The obtained results indicated that most of the studied bottled water were out of their safety guidelines and hence some chronic diseases (renal failure, liver cirrhosis and anemia) are expected in the area understudy, because 68.89% and 31.11% of the bottled water sampled in the current study showed heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) within a range of 1-500 (cfu/ml) and greater than 500 (cfu/ml), respectively and 0% samples showed less than 1 (cfu/ml) in heterotrophic plate counts. The results also revealed the ill performance and poor drinking water quality of the purification systems of the investigated water samples. 28% of the respondents considered that the quality of bottled water was satisfactory, in contrast to the 26% of the respondent, who judged that the quality of bottled water was not that satisfactory. However, the highest (34%) number of the respondents did not know whether the quality of the bottled water is good or not satisfactory. Recommendation was suggested for new treatment systems of the investigated suspicious water to prevent human illness.

Keywords: Microbiological Quality, Bottled Water, Dhaka

Location: Metropolitan city of Dhaka

Start Date: 00-10-2009

End Date: 00-11-2009

Program Area: Quality and Nutrition

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to determine the microbiological quality of mineral water samples that are commercially available in Bangladesh.

Methodology:

A total of 45 samples of bottled water of 9 different brands (5 for each brand), produced domestically and distributed all over the country, were collected randomly from retail shops in the metropolitan city of Dhaka from October to November 2009. Each sample was analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative analysis was based on total coliforms (TC) count, and fecal coliforms (FC) count. Samples (100ml) were filtered through membrane filters with pore size of 0.45µm and the filters were placed on MacConkey agar and mFC agar for total coliform and fecal coliform, respectively. The plates were incubated for 24 hours at required temperature (37°C). After incubation colonies were counted manually. To acquire a public perception regarding bottled water in Bangladesh, a questionnaire survey was designed. The sample number of the survey was 50. For data processing, the software Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS16 were used.

Source of Information: Stamford Journal of Microbiology, July 2011. Vol. 1, Issue 1, ISSN: 2074-5346

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The bottled water market has steadily increased over the last decade and is now the largest category of commercial beverage by volume sold in Bangladesh. A number of people now prefer bottled water rather than tap water for a number of reasons. They may not like the taste, smell, or color of bottled water, but they are continuing the consumption of bottled water in need, irrespective of quality. On the other hand, some people are worried about their health and perceive bottled water as more natural, pure, and a healthier alternative to supplied water by local authorities like WASA and Municipalities. Therefore, ever-increasing demand for bottled water is increasing in Bangladesh, in fact, all around the globe. On the other hand, not all bottled waters have the same qualities. Analysis of 45 bottled water samples in Dhaka, Bangladesh showed a wide assortment of microbial qualities. Generally, bottled water is good for drinking in Bangladesh. However, bottled water quality in Bangladesh needs to be monitored regularly. Indeed, it is a requirement that a tri-monthly monitoring should be carried out on water quality of bottled water of different brands, generally by BSTI and by the Ministry of Health in Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal