Abstract
Bottled water is a key alternative of tap water with great attention over past decades due to the direct link with human health. Twelve bottled water brands available in Kut markets were collected during the winter season of 2022. Tests included physical properties color, taste, and odor. Besides chemical properties pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and microbial analyses by using standard culture media. Iraqi standard specifications were used as a basis for evaluation in addition to a comparison between test results and the package. Physical tests indicated that all bottled water samples were acceptable in terms of taste and smell, according to specifications. Most microbial test results complied with the Iraqi standards and WHO guidelines except for type D which recorded the presence of coliform bacteria. Chemical results showed pH values tended toward acidity and do not always match samples label and do not complying with the Iraqi standards. While total dissolved salts and turbidity values varied among samples most complied with the standard specifications.
Keywords
bottled water
Microbiological
TDS and Iraqi standard specifications