Gake Bouba^1,, Moussa Djaouda², Abessolo Abessolo Hermine¹, Maidadi Foudi Martin³, Oumarou Goni Hamadama³, Adamou Oumar Poullo³, Akwah Lilian³, Makoge Valerie³, Nelly Michele Gake⁴, Lombart Jean Pierre⁵

For some time now, there has been an increased proliferation of sachet packaged water sold in almost all sale points, even in the streets. With its doubtful quality, it becomes important to carry out a study on the bacteriological examination of those sachets of drinking water in the city of Garoua. 200 samples were collected for the bacteriological analysis for total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Streptococci faecal, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results showed that 82% of the water sachets were contaminated. Total coliforms were isolated in 118 sachets, Escherichia coli in 74 sachets, Streptococci faecal in 48 sachets and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 62 sachets of water. As associated risk factors, Hawkers sale type had a statistically significant relationship with contamination; handmade water bags are more likely to be contaminated. Moreover, long storage period favored the contamination of water sachets, the storage of the water bags in the coolers presented risks of contaminations and improper hygiene during the sale is a risk of contamination. Furthermore, during the analysis, one or more germs could be isolated. Accompanying measures by the public authorities to producers and vendors are necessary to improve the quality of these waters.

bacteriological quality, Escherichia coli, Streptococci faecal, total coliforms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, sachet packaged water