Sachet and Bottled Water Safety in Ghana: Understanding Contamination Risks, Consumer Protection and Safer Choices

Senior Research Scientist, CSIR–Water Research Institute, Ghana Every day, millions of Ghanaians rely on sachet and bottled drinking water for hydration at home, at work, during travel and in emergencies. Consumers purchase these products with the expectation that the water has been carefully sourced, effectively treated, hygienically packaged, safely transported and properly stored before it reaches them. For the many manufacturers that comply with Ghana's regulatory requirements and operate robust quality management systems, that confidence is justified. Nevertheless, consumers should recognise that a sealed package alone does not guarantee safety. The quality of packaged drinking water depends on the integrity of every step in the source-to-consumer chain. Sachet water alone now accounts for well over a third of household drinking water in the country, with piped and borehole water making up most of the remainder, and in Greater Accra roughly seven in ten households depend on sachet water as their everyday source. Ghana's Progress in Drinking Water Safety Ghana has made significant progress in expanding access to safe drinking water through investments in water infrastructure, scientific research, regulation, laboratory services, water-quality monitoring and public education. National institutions including Ghana Water Limited, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, the Food and Drugs Authority, the Ghana Standards Authority, the Water Resources Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency and the CSIR–Water Research Institute each play complementary, legally mandated roles in safeguarding drinking water quality. Packaged water is regulated jointly by the Ghana Standards Authority, which sets the physical, chemical and microbiological specifications for drinking water and natural mineral water, and the Food and Drugs Authority, which registers producers, inspects facilities and tests products before they reach the market. The Authority updated its core drinking-water specification, GS 175, in 2024, tightening limits such as those for boron and refining requirements for sampling, packaging and labelling, a sign of continuing progress in the national standards regime. Despite these achievements, pressures from rapid urbanisation, pollution, illegal mining, poor sanitation, climate variability and non-compliant producers continue to require vigilance. Why Safe Drinking Water Matters Safe drinking water is fundamental to public health. Water that is free from harmful microorganisms and hazardous chemicals helps prevent waterborne diseases, supports healthy growth and development, improves productivity and enhances quality of life. The World Health Organization's Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, the internationally recognised benchmark for national standards, emphasise that safety is achieved through preventive management across the entire system, from catchment to consumer, rather than through end-point testing alone. Maintaining drinking water safety therefore requires preventive management from the source through treatment, packaging, distribution, retail storage and final consumer handling. The Source-to-Consumer Water Safety Chain High-quality packaged water begins with a protected source, followed by appropriate treatment, routine laboratory verification, hygienic packaging, safe transportation, proper storage and responsible retail practices. This is what water safety specialists call a multiple-barrier approach: no single step, including sealing the package, is treated as sufficient on its own, because weakness at any point in the chain can compromise product quality. Packaged drinking water can become contaminated at any stage from the water source to the point of consumption if appropriate control measures are not maintained. Source waters may be affected by inadequate sanitation, agricultural runoff, industrial activities, illegal mining or naturally occurring substances. Even after treatment, poor equipment maintenance, ineffective cleaning and disinfection, damaged packaging, unhygienic handling, inappropriate transportation or unsuitable storage conditions may compromise water quality. For this reason, modern drinking water management relies on this multiple-barrier approach, in which each stage provides an additional layer of protection against contamination. Understanding the Four Categories of Drinking Water Contamination Drinking water contaminants are generally grouped into four broad categories. Microbiological contaminants include disease-causing bacteria, viruses, protozoa and parasites that may result in waterborne illness. Chemical contaminants may originate from naturally occurring minerals, agricultural chemicals, industrial pollutants or excessive concentrations of certain elements. Physical contaminants include suspended particles, sediments and elevated turbidity, which may reduce the effectiveness of treatment and disinfection. Emerging contaminants, including some pharmaceutical residues and microplastics, continue to receive scientific attention as research advances our understanding of their occurrence and potential health significance. A 2025 study of tap and sachet water in Tema, for example, detected microplastic fibres, fragments and films across sampled sources, underscoring why this category remains an active area of research rather than a settled question (Agyepong et al., 2025). CSIR–Water Research Institute scientists have contributed directly to this evidence base: a 2025 study led by Dr Pennante Naa Ayikailey Bruce-Vanderpuije examined the lower Volta Basin, a source that feeds water supply and packaged water production across parts of the country, and found microplastics in both fish and surrounding water and sediment, with acrylates, polyurethane varnish and polyvinyl chloride among the dominant polymer types identified (Bruce-Vanderpuije et al., 2025). Taken together, these findings do not suggest that packaged water in Ghana is unsafe to drink; rather, they show why continued monitoring of emerging contaminants, alongside the more established microbial and chemical parameters, remains an important part of Ghana's water safety research agenda. Common Causes of Unsafe Sachet and Bottled Water Unsafe packaged drinking water is usually the consequence of failures in quality management rather than deficiencies in packaging alone. Common contributing factors include poor source-water selection, inadequate treatment, ineffective disinfection, poor hygiene during production, insufficient laboratory quality control, damaged packaging materials, prolonged exposure to excessive heat or direct sunlight, and poor storage and handling throughout the distribution chain. A 2024 Accra-based study tracked sachet water for three months under two conditions, indoor room-temperature storage and outdoor sunlight exposure, and found that even packaging that started out compliant developed rising coliform and heterotrophic bacteria counts by the third month, particularly where sachets were kept for the full length of their shelf life, reinforcing the guidance that packaged water should be bought and consumed promptly and never stockpiled for long periods in direct sun or heat. Manufacturers that implement comprehensive quality management systems, staff training, preventive maintenance and routine monitoring are better positioned to minimise these risks and consistently produce safe drinking water. These risks are not merely theoretical. In July 2026, the Food and Drugs Authority temporarily shut down a sachet water facility, Harmattan Natural Mineral Water, at Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region, after inspectors found it operating without the required licence and under unhygienic conditions, with its production wells and poly tanks assessed to be in an unsanitary state that fell below required health and safety standards. The closure was part of a broader enforcement exercise in which the Authority shut down 44 food manufacturing and cold storage facilities, including several unlicensed sachet water producers, for breaches ranging from missing viability-neutralisation and ultraviolet sterilisation equipment to expired registration numbers. Cases such as this illustrate why routine inspection, licensing enforcement and consumer vigilance remain essential complements to the standards and guidelines described above. Potential Health Consequences The health effects associated with contaminated drinking water depend on the nature of the contaminant, its concentration and the duration of exposure. Pathogenic microorganisms may increase the risk of diarrhoeal disease, cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery and other waterborne infections. A nationwide assessment of sachet water brands across five regions of Ghana found that roughly a quarter of samples were microbiologically unsatisfactory, with faecal contamination detected in some cases, most often linked to poor sanitary conditions during or after production (Mosi et al., 2019). Long-term exposure to certain chemical contaminants may also present health concerns. Young children, older adults, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems are generally more susceptible to adverse health effects. Preventing contamination throughout the entire production and supply chain remains the most effective strategy for protecting public health. How to Identify Safe Packaged Drinking Water Selecting safe packaged drinking water begins with informed purchasing decisions. Consumers should buy products from reputable retailers and recognised manufacturers that clearly display the product name, manufacturer's name and address, batch or lot number, production and expiry dates where applicable, and the relevant regulatory registration details. Before purchase, inspect the package carefully. The sachet or bottle should be intact, properly sealed, clean, free from leaks or physical damage, and the water should appear clear without visible particles, unusual colour or objectionable odour. Products should also be stored away from direct sunlight, excessive heat and sources of contamination, as poor storage conditions can reduce product quality. How to Verify FDA Registration and Product Authenticity All producers of packaged water are required to register with the Food and Drugs Authority, which reviews production systems, staff health certificates and product labels before issuing a registration number, and which conducts routine and unscheduled inspections thereafter. Consumers should check that a registration number and an expiry date are printed clearly on the package, and should verify registration through official Food and Drugs Authority communication channels rather than unverified social media posts or third-party websites. Information obtained from unofficial sources should not be relied upon as evidence of product registration. Where labels appear altered, registration details seem suspicious, or counterfeit products are suspected, consumers should promptly report the product to the Food and Drugs Authority for investigation. Public vigilance complements regulatory oversight and helps protect consumers from unsafe products. Common Consumer Myths versus Scientific Facts Misconceptions about packaged drinking water can influence purchasing decisions. A sealed package does not automatically guarantee safety because product quality depends on the integrity of the entire source-to-consumer chain, not the seal alone. Likewise, crystal-clear water should not be assumed to be safe, since many harmful microorganisms and dissolved chemicals are invisible to the naked eye. Consumers should also recognise that prolonged exposure of packaged water to excessive heat or direct sunlight may adversely affect product quality well before the printed expiry date, and should therefore be avoided. Ten Golden Rules for Buying Safe Packaged Drinking Water Purchase from reputable outlets; inspect the seal before buying; read the label carefully; confirm manufacturer information; avoid damaged packages; avoid products stored in direct sunlight or excessive heat; store drinking water in a cool, clean environment; report suspicious products to the Food and Drugs Authority; follow storage instructions provided by the manufacturer; and whenever doubt exists regarding product quality, choose an alternative product. Consumer Safety Checklist Before purchasing packaged drinking water, ask the following questions: Is the package intact and securely sealed? Is the label complete, legible and professionally printed? Can the manufacturer and regulatory information be identified? Has the product been stored appropriately? Does the water appear clear and free from visible contamination? If any concern arises, selecting another product is the safest course of action. Key Take-Home Messages Safe drinking water is achieved through multiple layers of protection rather than by packaging alone. Responsible manufacturers, effective regulation, rigorous scientific monitoring and informed consumer choices all contribute to protecting public health. Every stakeholder has an important role in maintaining confidence in Ghana's packaged drinking water industry. Frequently Asked Questions Is every sealed sachet or bottled water product safe? No. A sealed package reduces the risk of contamination, but safety ultimately depends on the quality of the source water, the effectiveness of treatment, hygienic production, proper storage and responsible handling throughout the supply chain. Should consumers buy the cheapest packaged water available? Not necessarily. Price alone is not an indicator of quality; consumers should prioritise products from reputable manufacturers that comply with regulatory requirements and are stored under appropriate conditions. Why should packaged water be kept away from direct sunlight? Because heat degrades it. Prolonged exposure to excessive heat and sunlight may reduce product quality and should be avoided during transportation, retail display and household storage. Consumer Action Guide Every consumer can contribute to safer drinking water by purchasing products from reputable outlets, inspecting packaging before purchase, storing water appropriately after purchase, reporting suspicious products to the Food and Drugs Authority, and sharing accurate information with family and friends. Informed consumers strengthen the national drinking water safety system. Shared Responsibility for Drinking Water Safety Protecting drinking water quality is a shared responsibility. Water utilities, packaged-water producers, regulators, researchers, distributors, retailers and consumers each contribute to maintaining confidence in Ghana's drinking water supply. Scientific research provides the evidence needed for policy development, while effective regulation and responsible manufacturing translate that evidence into safer products for the public. Conclusion Packaged drinking water has become an indispensable source of safe drinking water for millions of Ghanaians. Ghana has made substantial progress in strengthening drinking water safety through scientific research, regulation and investment in water infrastructure. Nevertheless, protecting public health requires continuous improvement, effective regulation, responsible production, protection of water resources and informed consumer participation. Safe drinking water is a shared responsibility involving researchers, regulators, manufacturers, retailers, communities and consumers. Through continued collaboration and evidence-based decision-making, Ghana can further strengthen confidence in the safety and quality of packaged drinking water. Dr Michael Kumi, PhD, is a Senior Research Scientist at the CSIR–Water Research Institute with expertise in drinking water quality, environmental chemistry, water and wastewater treatment, environmental risk assessment and sustainable water resource management. His work focuses on advancing evidence-based solutions that improve drinking water safety, support regulatory decision-making and translate scientific knowledge into practical public education for Ghana and beyond. He can be reached via: mikulovegod@gmail.com. Tel: 0265309602

By Dr. Michael Kumi, PhD