Bacteriological Quality of Selected Bottled Water Brands Produced and Sold in Okigwe, Imo State Nigeria

In Nigeria, bottled water is widely perceived as a premium and hygienic beverage rather than a routine household water source; however, its frequent use at social gatherings, institutional settings, and for infant feeding has raised important public health concerns about its microbiological safety.This study assessed the bacteriological quality of selected bottled water brands produced and sold in Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria. Five bottled water brands were randomly sampled and analyzed for pH, total heterotrophic bacterial count, bacterial isolates, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns using standard microbiological techniques. The pour plate method was employed for bacterial enumeration, while bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were conducted using conventional laboratory procedures. Cultivable bacteria were recovered from three out of the five bottled water brands analyzed. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species were isolated from one brand, indicating faecal contamination and non-compliance with World Health Organization and Nigerian drinking water standards. Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Acinetobacter species were also isolated, suggesting lapses in production or post-treatment hygiene. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed resistance to some commonly used antibiotics, particularly among the Gram-negative isolates. The findings demonstrate that not all bottled water brands sold in Okigwe are microbiologically safe and highlight the need for stricter regulatory monitoring, improved hygiene practices by producers, and routine antimicrobial resistance surveillance in packaged drinking water.