Many people assume that bottled water is the safest option when it comes to water quality. During the kickoff of Business Connect’s new series “The WASH cycle”, webinar speakers such as Gloria Magut, a Public Health Researcher and WASH advocate from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), presented research on bottled water in Kenya and discussed why it is not as safe as consumers may believe. This article outlines and explores the key takeaways discussed in the webinar.

Public Perception of Bottled Water in Kenya

When offered the choice between tap water and bottled water, a large number of people will likely choose bottled water. This is because, globally, many people assume bottled water is safer and tastes better than tap water. According to Magut, this phenomenon also occurs in Nairobi, Kenya, where she conducted her study on bottled water quality, “I’m sure most people would always run for and have bottled drinking water, thinking it’s safe, thinking […] I don’t trust the tap water, let me have the bottled drinking water.”

Despite the public’s confidence in bottled water in Kenya, water quality information is often not made public because water companies are not required to publish their water quality analysis tests, according to Magut. This prevents them from making informed choices to safeguard their health. It also leaves consumers in the dark about the safety of the water they drink in Kenya. Water, especially clean drinking water, is a fundamental need; consumers should not be left wondering whether the bottled water they purchased is safe or a danger to their health. 

Study Results 

To conduct her study, Magut analyzed a total of 158 samples. These samples encompassed:

• 8 of the most popular brands sold in Nairobi, Kenya
• 38 minimarts
• 85 kiosks
• 35 street vendors

Each sample was tested for pH level, calcium, magnesium, lead, nitrite, nitrate, sulphate, sodium, HPC, and E. coli in order to evaluate overall water quality. Magut’s water quality analysis found that bottled water in Kenya is, in fact, not as safe as many consumers seem to believe. She found that 13% of all samples did not fall within safety thresholds for fluoride, while 12% of all samples did not fall within safety thresholds for E. coli. Additionally, 7 out of the 8 sampled brands were positive for E. coli. Overall, 1 in 4 samples of bottled water contained unsafe levels of fluoride, nitrate, and/or E. coli.

Based on these results, bottled water in Kenya raises significant concerns, particularly because ongoing water scarcity in Kenya is resulting in widespread dependence on bottled water. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), excess fluoride intake can cause dental fluorosis, a condition that affects tooth enamel, or crippling skeletal fluorosis, a more serious condition that affects a person’s bones and may lead to osteosclerosis and bone deformities. Like fluoride, ingesting too much nitrate can also be harmful. Nitrate can affect how blood carries oxygen, which, in some cases, can cause methemoglobinemia, a condition known as blue baby syndrome. Also according to the WHO, the ingestion of E. coli can cause abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, fever, and vomiting. While most people recover, those who are more susceptible, such as children and the elderly, may suffer more serious illnesses as a result. 

Steps Toward Safer Bottled Water in Kenya

It’s true that the current state of bottled water in Kenya is troubling. With so many unknowns, increasing water scarcity in Kenya, and limited transparency on the part of regulatory agencies, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed when thinking about what to do next. Yet, Magut offers several actions to advocate for:

Policy 

1. Routine inspection, surveillance, and control in the packaged drinking water industry through national regulatory agencies
2. The inclusion of priority chemical contaminants in Water Safety Plans

Stakeholders

1. Increased communication and emergency response plans for consumers 

Industry

1. Ensuring a temperature-controlled supply chain when storing and transporting water to maintain bottled water in Kenya 
2. The implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) programs at water treatment facilities
3. Increased employee awareness and training regarding hygienic practices during the packaging process
4. The implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to increase the effectiveness of HACCP programs and prevent recontamination during handling

Unsafe Water? What To Do When You’re Unsure 

Bottled water in Kenya and around the world is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. Actionable steps that increase access to clean bottled water are crucial and impactful, but they also take time to execute. So, what should you do if you’re unsure of your bottled water quality right now? Some of the best ways to ensure safe water are to treat the water using techniques such as boiling, reliable purification tablets such as Aquatabs, or a filtration system appropriate for possible contaminants. 

While boiling your water or utilizing purification tablets gets rid of microbial contaminants such as E. coli, they do not remove contaminants such as lead and fluoride. In those cases, a water test kit and/or filter is necessary to identify and remove all harmful contaminants. For a comprehensive list of possible water treatments and more, click here to access our curated database of water solutions, organizations, consultants, and resources. Additionally, to learn more about safe water and hygiene practices, be sure to join us for our next free online WASH webinar, where we’ll hear from webinar speakers such as Dr. Andrew Brouwer, PhD, MS, MA discuss the effectiveness of WASH interventions in Bangladesh. Click here to secure your spot.

Watch the WASH Bottled Water Quality in Kenya webinar recording here.