Evaluation of microbial and physico-chemical quality of bottled water produced in Hamadan province of Iran

Introduction: the increasing of population and limited drinking water resources has enhanced thenecessity of using bottled water. many people are now using bottled water because they believe itis a healthful alternative beverage to soft drinks or other bottled beverages. therefore, the bottledwater industry has grown immensely during the past decades. this descriptive cross-sectional studyhas investigated the quality of bottled water in market and factories of hamadan province, iran.materials and methods: in total, 33 bottled water samples produced in the hamadan province ofiran, were randomly collected in 2012. the evaluated parameters were nitrate, nitrite, turbidity,na+, k+, ph, total coliforms and fecal coliforms. the data were analyzed by spss software.results: all the samples meet standard regulations of national standards of iran and the whoguidelines. none of the samples, had coliforms or fecal coliforms. the mean values of nitrate,nitrite, turbidity, na+, k+ and ph parameters were 8.34 mg/l, 0.024 mg/l, 0.38 ntu, 9.36 mg/l, 0.36mg/l and 8.34, respectively.conclusion: we found that all measured parameters of bottled water in hamadan province werewithin acceptable rang of the national and international standards, and consuming this kind ofdrinking water would not present any risk to the consumers' health.