How Pure is ‘Pure Water’?

In a 50cl sachet comes the most widely consumed water in
Nigeria, pure water as it is so christened. But the question on the lips of
many Nigerians, especially the medically inclined, which for long have been
begging for an answer is, “how pure is this water?”

Going by Nigeria’s population which undoubtedly is mostly
made up of the masses and the affordability of this sachet water, the high rate
of sachet water consumption can never be questioned.

The producers of this sachet water strategically hit the
stage not too long ago, capitalizing on what the economists will call
“competitive demand” arising from the price of bottled water.

Bottled water undergoes some laboratory, hygienic processes
which necessitate the high price per bottle. Unfortunately, some members of the
public are not interested in this. They are rather concerned about the price.
As a result, some companies took advantage of this and introduced the sachet
water which sells between N5 and N10 per sachet.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) intervened from the onset by regulating and controlling the
production of this sachet water. This they did by sending their officers to
examine the envirnoment, and the processes involved in the production of this
water.

Identification numbers were given to prospective producers
before they ventured into the business. These processes were otherwise known as
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

In recent times however, the GMP is no longer heeded as
vendors now operate without NAFDAC’s verification and authorisation. Yet, they
produce the water in large quantity with NAFDAC numbers boldly written on the
packs obviously to deceive the consumers and avoid NAFDAC’s sanctions.

It is true that we may not be infected directly, but we would
certainly be affected when family members, friends and loved ones fall sick and
die of typhoid, smallpox or any other disease arising from the consumption of
unsafe water.

The negative health effects of polluted water are enormous.
It has been estimated that some 6,000 people die everyday from diseases
associated with lack of access to safe drinking water. Many others lie
critically ill at home and in various hospitals due to unsafe drinking water.

It is therefore imperative for NAFDAC to double its efforts
in ensuring safe drinking water for the citizens. It should beam its
searchlight particularly on vendors of ‘pure water’ with a view to safeguarding
the health of the consumers.

Meanwhile, the general public should assist NAFDAC in its
fight against unsafe water by reporting every case of unverified vendor who
operates illegally under the guise of NAFDAC’s identification number. Health is
everybody’s business and we should not compromise it.

Nwachukwu contributes this piece from Mass Communication
Department, RSUST, Port Harcourt.

Ifeanyi Richard Nwachukwu