Eighty-two percent of sachet water in Kumasi unsafe

Kumasi, Aug 14, GNA- Laboratory tests carried out at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has revealed that about 82 percent of sachet water on the market in Kumasi is contaminated and unsafe.

Dr Esi Awuah, a Microbiologist at the University, said what is disturbing is the presence of bacteria that causes typhoid fever in some of the sachet water.

She was speaking at a one-day seminar organised by the Association of Processed Drinking Water Producers for its members on quality control standards in Kumasi.

Dr Awuah said it is disheartening that some of the sachet water producers appear to be interested only in money making without regard to safety of consumers.

She noted with concern instances where boreholes and hand-dug wells from which sachet water is produced are sited close to septic tanks and refuse dumps.

Dr Awuah called on the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) to ensure that every batch of sachet water is taken through quality control test. Dr Awuah criticised the Board for the practice where after initial quality control tests, the FDB does not carry out follow-up tests.

She said since about 95 percent of the population in the metropolis patronise sachet and bottled water due to the pollution of the water sources "the onerous is on the producers to produce good quality water".

Mr Patrick Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman of the Association, appealed to the Environmental Sanitation Department of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and the FDB to conduct regular inspection of production sites to flush out those whose operations do not meet quality control standards.

The Association, he said, has set up a Quality Control Team to ensure that the proper thing is done.