PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND HEAVY METALS PROFILE OF SACHET WATER BRANDS FROM SELECTED VENTURES IN ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREA COUNCIL OF THEFEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62050/fjst2026.v10n1.655Keywords:
Sachet water, Heavy metals;, Physicochemical parameters, AMAC, Sustainable Development Goal No. 6.Abstract
Sachet water (SW) is an alternative source of drinking water among many households in Nigeria, and water contamination by heavy metals is a public health concern. This study assessed the physicochemical, lead, iron, and zinc contents of SW samples purchased within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abuja. Ten bags of SW were purchased from 10 SW ventures within AMAC, labelled A-J, and transported to the laboratory. Three SW from each bag were randomly selected for physicochemical and heavy metal content analysis using a standard protocol. The total dissolved solids, total hardness, and electrical conductivity ranged from 10.75-115.7 mg/L, 0.08-0.64 mg/L, and 7.5-236.1 μS/cm respectively, and were lower than the WHO standard, while the values of the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and dissolved oxygen (DO) ranged from 7.4-10.5 mg/L, 32.5-37.5 mg/L, and 8.4-11 mg/L respectively, and exceeded the WHO threshold. The pH values varied across the samples and were below the WHO threshold. The concentrations of Zn (0.0685-0.2677 mg/L), Fe (0.3774-5.942 mg/L), and Pb (0.0572-0.2331 mg/L) varied across all the SW, with Zn content falling below the WHO threshold, while the Fe and Pb contents exceeded the threshold for drinking water. The study suggests SW contamination by heavy metals, especially Pb, and other physicochemical markers (BOD, COD, and DO), thus recommending stricter enforcement of regulatory standards for Pb content, BOD, DO, and COD in SW, improved water treatment technologies, and better maintenance of water distribution infrastructure towards actualizing the SDG No. 6 (clean water and sanitation)
Downloads
References
Abejide, O., Ibrahim, U., & Yusuf, S. D. (2023). Determination of heavy metals concentration in some sachet water commonly in Abuja Municipal Council, Nigeria. EJSMT, 10(1), 28–34.
Adamu, S. U., Saliu, O. A., Okoroiwu, G., & Ebhodaghe, F. (2024). Physio-chemical and microbial assessment of the source of drinking water and the prevailing waterborne diseases in Gwagwalada Municipal Area Council of Abuja, Nigeria. DUJOPAS, 10(3c), 113–127.
Adejuwon, E. O., Ogwueleka, T. C., Ogungbemi, E. O., Prabhu, R., Rendon-Nava, A., & Yates, K. (2025). Assessment of surface water quality using chemometric tools: A case study of Jabi Lake, Abuja, Nigeria. Iran. J. Sci. Technol. - Trans. Civ. Eng, 49, 829–852.
Ademorati, C. M. A. (1996). Environmental chemistry and toxicology. Ibadan, Nigeria: Foludex Press Ltd.
Adeyemi, A., & Ojekunle, Z. O. (2021). Concentrations and health risk assessment of industrial heavy metals pollution in groundwater in Ogun State, Sci. Afr, 11, 1–11.
Agbai, E., & Okey, U. (2024). Quality performance leadership for political leadership at the local government level in Nigeria: A case study of AMAC Abuja FCT. ULBEC, 1(2), 10–17.
Ajayi, O. O., Adepoju, O. M., James, G. K., Jega, I., Salami, V. T., Aderoju, O. M., & Adedeji, O. I. (2022). Geospatial assessment of urban development on land surface temperature in Abuja, Nigeria. Int. J. Innov. Sci. Res. Technol, 7(2), 287–293.
Akin-Osanaiye, B. C., & Izuakor, E. C. (2022). Physico-chemical analysis of the quality of sachet water and their source point sold in Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. IJSRST, 1(1), 14–20.
Alabi, O. A., Lawrence, O. E., Ayeni, F. E., & Olumurewa, J. A. V. (2024). Health risk and germ cell toxicity of five commercially available sachet waters in Nigeria: A public health concern. Toxicol. Res, 13(4).
Aniyikaiye, T., Oluseyi, T., Odiyo, J., & Edokpayi, J. (2019). Physico-chemical analysis of wastewater discharge from selected paint industries in Lagos, Nigeria. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 16(7), 1235.
Aremu, M. O., Ozonyia, G. N., & Ikokoh, P. P. (2011). Physico-chemical properties of well, borehole and stream waters in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, FCT, Nigeria. Electr. J. Environ. Agric. Food Chem, 10, 2296–2304.
Arise, R. O., Idowu, O. A., Farohunbi, S. T., & Abubakar, F. A. (2015). Levels of some metals and earthworm phosphatase activities in the soil around Odo-Efo River, Ilorin, Kwara State. Cent Point J. (Science Edition), 21(1), 88–105.
Bawa, I., Idowu, O. A., Agada, A. S., Ogwuche, V., Itodo, O. M., Ejila, O. A., Abba, E. A., & Uti, E. D. (2024). Physicochemical characteristics, heavy metal concentration, and microbial contamination in key water sources within Benue South Senatorial District, Nigeria. AJES, 15(6), 1–6.
Danraka, A. M., Onavbavba, G., & Abdullahi, R. (2022). Elemental analysis of bottled and sachet water commercially available in Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria. JMHC, 4(1), 1–4.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2021). Drinking water standards and regulations. USA: EPA.
Etuk, M., Re, V., Viaroli, S., Raco, B., & Igwe, O. (2025). Assessing groundwater quality and solute sources in highly anthropized areas: The case of Abuja Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Groundw. Sustain. Dev, 29, 101425.
Fraga, C. G. and Oteiza. P. I. (2002). Iron toxicity and antioxidant nutrients, Toxicology, 180(1), 23-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0300-483X(02)00379-7
Ibemesim, A. O. (2014). Comparative study of qualities of sachet and bottle water sold on the streets of Abuja, Nigeria. South Am. J. Public Health, 2(3), 308–328.
Ilechukwu, I., Olusina, T. A., & Echeta, O. C. (2020). Physicochemical analysis of water and sediments of Usuma Dam, Abuja, Nigeria. Ovidius" Univ. Ann. Chem, 31(2), 80–87.
Jomova, K., Alomar, S. Y., Nepovimova, E., Kuca, K., & Valko, M. (2025). Heavy metals: Toxicity and human health effects. Arch. Toxicol, 99, 153–209.
Magaji, J. Y. (2020). Assessment of sachet water quality produced in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT Abuja, Nigeria. Int. J. Sustain. Dev, 20, 107–126.
Makwe, E., & Ukah, C. (2025). Health risk assessment of heavy metals in sachet water in Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. IJEPR, 13(1), 48–69.
Matouke, M. M., Remawa, A. A., & Ndaghu, N. N. (2022). Copper, zinc, lead, cadmium contents and health hazard inference of consuming Pseudotolithus senegalensis from Usuma Dam, Abuja, Nigeria. Sci. Afr., 17, e01354.
Michael, O. S., Badejo, J. A., Bakre, A. G., Okareh, O. T., Iwalewa, E. O., Ademowo, O. G., Falade, C. O., & Fagbemi, O. S. (2016). Packaging characteristics, lead and zinc levels of sachet water in Ibadan, Nigeria. Arch. Basic Appl. Med, 4, 71–75.
Mishra, A. P., Kumar, S., Patra, R., Kumar, A., Sahu, H., Chandra, N., Pande, C. B. and Alshehri, F. (2023). Physicochemical parameters of water and its implications on avifauna and habitat quality. Sustainability, 15(12), 9494. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129494
Muhammad, A. M., & Ujoh, F. (2012). An assessment of the chemical quality of potable water sources in Abuja, Nigeria. Br. J. Appl. Sci. Technol, 2(2), 146–172.
Oguike, R. S., & Adam, H. Y. (2024). Statistical evaluation and quality analysis of water resources around quarry site in Abuja Suburban Nigeria. Sci. Afr., 26, e02403.
Okere, O. S., Adams, M. D., & Orji, C. G. (2022). Chemical composition, in vivo immunomodulatory and anti-hyperlipidaemic properties of rhinoceros (Rhino) oil in lead-induced immunocompromised models. J. Phytomed. Ther., 21(2), 931–974.
Okere, O. S., Okoli, B. J., Adams, M. D., & Adeyemo, S. O. (2014). Physicochemical, trace metal analysis and fatty acid profile of Python regius fat. Br. Biotechnol. J, 4(10), 1064–1076.
Okpara, O. G., Chukwueke, J. I., Nwenewo, E. C., Agbom, J. N., Menechukwu, K. C., Egbu, V. N., & Diala, E. C. (2024). Quality assessment of sachet water sold and consumed in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. OALibJ, 11, 1–24.
Omer, N. H. (2019). Water quality parameters. In Water quality—Science, assessments and policy. IntechOpen, 1-18.
Oshukunuofa, R. J., Madu, P. C., & Adams, M. D. (2024). Determination of heavy metals, physicochemical and bacteriological profile in water from selected boreholes within Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. CaJoST., 3, 305–322.
Saliu, O. A., Yisa, A. G., Saliu, N. B., Ekwo, O. B., & Idowu, O. A. (2024). Heavy metals and bacteria contamination in drinking water: The Wassa IDP camp case study, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. FTST , 9(2), 101–107.
Sastre, S., Sahuquillo, A., Vidal, M., & Rauret, G. (2002). Determination of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in environmental samples: Microwave-assisted total digestion versus aqua regia and nitric acid extraction. Analytica Chimica Acta, 462, 59–72.
Schoofs, H., Schmit, J. and Rink, L. (2024). Zinc toxicity: Understanding the limits. Molecules, 29(13), 3130. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29133130
Segun, A. A., & Raimi, M. O. (2021). When water turns deadly: Investigating source identification and quality of drinking water in Piwoyi Community of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria. E- J. Chem. (Online), 1(1), 38–58.
Stoler, J. (2012). Improved but unsustainable: Accounting for sachet water in post-2015 goals for global safe water. Trop Med Int Health, 17(12), 1506–1508.
Taiwo, A. M., Hassan, T., Adeoye, I. A., Adekoya, G. A., Tayo, O. E., Ogunsola, D. O., Babawale, M. K., Isichei, O. T., Olayinka, S. O. (2023). Assessment of levels and health risk of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in selected sachet water packaged from groundwater resources in Ogun State, Nigeria. J. Trace Elem. Min, 5, 100087.
Togunde, O., Briggs, T., Amaeze, N., & Obanya, H. (2018). Toxicological risk assessment of lead contamination in public water system in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. J. Environ. Prot. Sci. 9, 1393–1407.
UNICEF. (2024). Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Retrieved from https://data.unicef.org/sdgs/goal-6-clean-water-sanitation/
Ugwu, V. U., Adeniran, L. A., Damilare, O. M., & Ajagbonna, O. P. (2024). Assessment of the physicochemical properties of drinking water in Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. CUJoSTech, 1(2), 10–20.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Guidelines for drinking-water quality. USA: WHO.
Yisa, A. G., Lawan, I. A., Oniye, S. J., Simon, J., Edogbo, B., Samuel, S. A., Saliu, O. A.,
Omada, S., & Osegbo, A. (2025). Health risk associated with metals and metalloids in frequently used oil perfumes sold at Karu market, FCT, Nigeria. Discov. chem, 2, 186.
Yisa, A. G., Oziamo, A. S., Chukwu, M. N., Aletan, U. I., Oniye, S. J., Adams, A. E., Osegbo, A., Saliu, O. A., Edogbo, B., Omada, S., Idowu, O. A., & Sekegor, C. O. (2024). Health risk assessment of lead and cadmium in roadside roasted corn from selected areas of Bwari Local Government Area, FCT, Nigeria. UMYU J. Microbiol. Res., 9(1), 84–92.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
How to Cite
