Determination of Physicochemical Parameters of Tap Water and Sachet Water in University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The usage of contaminated drinking water, human population suffers from varied of water borne diseases. Therefore, it is necessary that the quality of drinking water be checked at regular time interval. This study is aimed at investigating the physicochemical parameters of tap water and sachet water sold in University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Two sites were considered for this study; Faculty of Biological Science and Male hostel for tap and sachet water respectively. The results revealed that temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, total dissolved solid, electrical conductivity and total hardness recorded 27.624±1.51 oC and 26.46±0.46 oC, 13.97±2.34 mg/L and 2.87±1.21 mg/L, 6.29±1.10 and 7.54±2.87, 8.34±4.5NTU and 1.14±0.5NTU, 118.23±29.5 mg/L and 17.65±5.05 mg/L, 331.57±50.43 µS/cm and 71.12±23.33 µS/cm and 95.58±44.70 mg/L and 10.07±3.91 mg/L for Tap water (TW) and Sachet water (SW) respectively. It was concluded that the values for TW were not considerably within the allowable limit by WHO, unlike SW. Therefore, SW was considered safe for human consumption. However, regular maintenance and management of the TW is recommended to enable it fit for human consumption.