Abstract
The aim of this exploratory research and comparative numerical pilot study
was to investigate any significant differences in the microbiological content
of tap and bottled water through the measurement of risk indicator parameters
including Enterococci , Escherichia coli (E. coli ) and colony-forming
units (CFUs). This study to investigate storage conditions and compare
consumer options of public water supply and bottled water using microbiological
limits was carried out for public health research. This was a unique
pilot study to Northern Ireland with global relevance due to the increase in
the bottled water market and the need to address the lack of consumer
awareness regarding storage and microbiological content. No E. coli or Enterococci
were found in any of the 31 tap or bottled water samples. Three
unrefrigerated bottled water samples exceeded the threshold in Colony
Counts 22˚C & 37˚C (degrees Celsius) and failed in line with Drinking Water
Directive guidelines. This indicated a link between storage conditions and
microbiological quality. No link between prices or microbiological quality
was indicated. This research recommends the creation of a regulator for the
bottled water industry, the need for clearly labelled microbiological content
and daily testing. Water suppliers such as Northern Ireland (NI) Water
should promote the quality of tap water. Recommendations are also outlined
for consumers. There is no statistically significant difference in the microbiological quality of tap and bottled water in Northern Ireland despite
marketing claims.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 11 |
Pages (from-to) | 1398-1407 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | The Journal of Water Resource and Protection |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 26 Nov 2019 |
Keywords
- Water
- Tap
- Bottled
- Public Health
- Storage
- Microbiological
- Regulation
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Rodney Mc Dermott
- Belfast School of Architecture & the Be - Lecturer in Civil & Environmental Engineering
- Faculty Of Computing, Eng. & Built Env. - Lecturer
Person: Academic