Quality assessment and health impact of bottled water in Uratta, Imo state: a retrospective study

The retrospective study objective was to investigate the distribution of selected physicochemical parameters and the attainment of health consequences in some selected bottled drinking water in Uratta owing to the recent need for long-term evidence needed for informed policies. They utilized four popular bottled water brands collected in the area that have not been studied before to the best of our knowledge and were tested in the water analysis laboratory in 2018. The physicochemical analysis was carried out using standard methods and protocols. Microsoft Excel and Origin 9.0 version 2 were used for the statistical analysis of mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation graphs. The results indicated that some values where pH > 6.0 < 7.0, TDS < 110 mg/L, Cl⁻ < 0.04 mg/L EC < 130 (µScm⁻¹) were within the WHO and SON standards while heavy metals like Fe, Zn, and Cu were lower than recommended concentration levels (< 2 mg/L) and pose no health threat. On the other hand, for batch B, the nitrate level being higher (< 40 mg/L) may have revealed the variance of the test methodology or a genuine public health concern with a likelihood of undesirable health consequences on newborns and required attention above 10 mg/L. Although, the sampled bottled water conformed to the national standard and international recommended doses. Regular consumption of bottled water having moderate nitrate levels poses serious health problems to its consumers. Therefore, the water quality should be improved with adequate risk assessments while local authorities remain active regulators.