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Health and environmental impacts of sachet water consumption and sachet plastic waste in Nigeria: a scoping review
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This review of 20 studies found that "sachet water" — cheap bagged drinking water widely used in Nigeria — is often contaminated with harmful bacteria, heavy metals, and chemicals like phthalates, sometimes at levels exceeding WHO safety limits, especially when exposed to heat and sunlight. Beyond health risks from drinking it, the plastic sachets themselves create major environmental problems, contributing to flooding, clogged drains, and microplastic pollution. The findings suggest that a water source millions rely on for safety may actually pose real health risks, highlighting the need for better regulation and waste management
Abstract Introduction Access to safe drinking water remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, where sachet water is widely used due to limited piped water supply. Despite its importance, sachet water raises concerns regarding health risks and the environmental plastic waste burden. The aim of this review is to map existing evidence on the health impacts of sachet water consumption and the environmental consequences of plastic waste in Nigeria. Methods A scoping review design was adopted for this review in line with the PRISMA-ScR guideline. Four databases were searched, which are PubMed, Scopus, AJOL and Google Scholar, for studies on sachet water, plastic waste, health impacts, and environmental impacts. The search was limited to studies published between 2016 and 2026. Inclusion criteria encompassed primary studies of communities in Nigeria exposed to sachet water consumption or sachet water-related plastic waste. Three reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts and full texts and extracted data. A narrative synthesis was conducted due to methodological heterogeneity. Results Of the 1,940 records identified from four databases and screened following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. After screening and eligibility assessment, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria across Nigeria. Thirteen studies reported health outcomes, including widespread microbial contamination ( E. coli , Salmonella , Shigella ), elevated heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As), and detection of phthalates, with several exceeding WHO drinking-water guideline limits. Three studies reported environmental outcomes, including microplastic pollution and soil/agricultural disruption. Evidence from the review indicates that sachet water safety is influenced by contamination at production and along the supply chain, with environmental conditions such as heat and sunlight contributing to chemical migration and degradation. Conclusion This review found that sachet water in Nigeria is associated with microbial and chemical contamination, posing important public health risks. In addition, sachet plastic waste has been identified as a contributor to flooding, drainage blockages, and microplastic pollution. These findings highlight the need for stronger regulation and an improved waste management system.
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