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Abstract

Background and Objectives This study was carried out to compare the effects of different potable water treatment options from four different bottle water factories within Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods Standard methods of APHA were used to assess the water treatment process steps within these factories. These were taken in the following sequence 1 Sand and granular activated carbon GAC filtration, 2 Reverse osmosis, 3 Ozone disinfection and 4 UV disinfection finished product. Results The pH of the finished products across the four factories ranged from 5.15 -7.90 with Kent water having the lowest pH which did not meet WHO standard. The electrical conductivity had values between16.85-124.80 S cm1501, total dissolved solids values ranged from 9.01-66.14 mg L1501. The total suspended solids and turbidity values ranged between 1.00 and 0.01 mg L1501, the total alkalinity ranged between 3.40-32.00 mg L1501 and across the four water factories, respectively. Total hardness had values between 8.00-23.00 mg L1501. Anions and Sulphate values ranged between 1.04 and 5.49, Nitrate was 0.02 across the factories. Chloride ranged from 3.33-15.50, Phosphate ranged between 0.001 and 2.89, calcium ranged from 1.98-4.50 while magnesium values were between 0.81 and 2.2. Heavy metals such as iron as well as other heavy metals like Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb and Mn were all 0.001. Conclusion The four water factories all gave adequate treatment to the groundwater except for Kent table water whose pH value was below the expected limit but other parameters are within WHO standard. There is therefore the need to consistently monitor and proper education on adequate treatment of potable water from these sources for safety and portability by regulatory bodies.