Aim: The study was carried out to investigate
the microbiological quality of packaged drinking
water marketed in Jaipur city.
Materials and
Methods: In the present study 'twenty'
drinking water samples (15 water bottles and 5
sachets) of different brands purchased randomly,
were evaluated to access the water quality on the
basis of different bacteriological parameters.
Result: Out of twenty, 50% samples were found
unsatisfactory in standard plate count.
Psychrophillic, coliforms, E. coli and
staphylococcal counts revealed that 25%, 45%, 20%,
and 5% samples respectively were found unfit for
human consumption as per Bureau of Indian
Standards (BIS) of drinking water. On the basis of
results of overall microbiological assessment 55%
of samples proved to be unfit for consumption. All
brands of water sachet (100%) had high coliforms
count which indicates faecal contamination.
Amongst those sachets two brands (40%) had
presence of E. coli and all the sachet water
brands fell below drinking water standards while
out of fifteen brands of bottled water 6 samples
contained higher microbiological value hence unfit
for human consumption.
Conclusion: Local
brands of packaged drinking water were found unfit
for human condumption. So it is suggested that
government should intensify the efforts in the
monitoring of activities in this rapidly expanding
industry with a view to supply potable and
wholesome water to the public.
Key words:
bacteriological quality, bottled, mineral water,
public health
