OBIKORU MERCY

This study examined the comparative quality of borehole water, sachet water, and bottled water consumed in Ikhueniro Community, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The research adopted an investigative and analytical approach to evaluate the safety and suitability of the major drinking water sources used by residents. In response to increasing public health concerns associated with waterborne diseases and the widespread availability of inadequately regulated water sources, the study provided a scientific basis for water quality assessment and proposed recommendations for enhanced water safety and regulatory control. The primary objective of the study was to compare the microbiological and physicochemical quality of borehole, sachet, and bottled water and to determine their compliance with established drinking water standards. Specifically, the study assessed the physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters of the three water sources; evaluated their quality using national and international guidelines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ); computed the Water Quality Index (WQI) for each source to facilitate interpretation; and identified potential contaminants as well as the effectiveness of treatment and purification methods. Both field and laboratory methods were employed in the study. Physicochemical parameters analyzed included pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total alkalinity, temperature, and concentrations of selected heavy metals such as lead, iron, magnesium, and cadmium.