Quality assessment of various bottled waters marketed in Lebanon

Abstract

Thirty-two domestic bottled water brands were analyzed for various physico-chemical as well as bacterial water quality parameters. Recorded results were compared with the Lebanese Standards Institution standards of quality and standards of identity as well as various international water standards for bottled waters. Results showed a widespread in the characteristics of investigated bottled waters, yet the majority met the different bottled water standards for physico-chemical parameters except for pH (4 brands), hardness (2 brands), and calcium (2 brands). All samples showed negative growth for fecal coliforms, yet 18.8% (N = 6) and 59.4% (N = 19) of the samples revealed positive results for total coliforms and heterotrophic plate count at 37°C, respectively. Generated Piper diagrams revealed that the majority of investigated waters are of calcium-magnesium bicarbonate type; some brands were rich in sodium-potassium chloride, and few were of the mixed type. Comparison of the study results with reported label values indicated good agreement with stated pH values but considerable variation for dry residue, Mg, Na, K, Ca, Mg, HCO₃, Cl, and SO₄. Identification labels showed varying compliance with the Lebanese Standards Institution standards of identity.