Quality of Sachet Water Produced at Tarkwa, Ghana

Cholera outbreak in some cities and towns in Ghana in early 2011 necessitated a sachet water quality study in Tarkwa to determine their wholesomeness. The study was conducted in four phases in August 2011, December 2011, August 2012 and December, 2013. Most of the physico-chemical parameters analysed were within the recommended WHO limits except for pH, Pb and Ni in the main. About 50% of the samples had their pH below the lower limit of 6.5 and 8% had Pb concentrations above the recommended limit of 0.01 mg/L. Protozoan organisms such as Cyclospora cayetanensis (5%), Cryptosporidium parvum (4%), Ascaris lumbricoides eggs (10%), and Stronglyoides Stercoralis larvae (4%) were identified in some of the water samples. Helminth eggs (6.7%), Protista (13.4%) and 6.7% unidentified insect larvae were also found in the samples. Faecal and total coliforms were found in 40% of the samples analysed. The presence of protozoan organisms and faecal coliforms in some of the sachet water render them unsafe for drinking.