EPA & NPHIL shut down water factory

The EPA is committed to ensuring that all sachet water production facilities in Liberia adhere to the highest safety and hygiene standards. 

Monrovia, August 9, 2024: Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), has shut down the Grandma Mineral Water Factory in Jacob Town, Gardnerville, due to gross environmental and public health violations. 

The closure of the water factory follows a joint fact-finding initiative conducted from July 29 to August 2, 2024, revealing significant environmental and public health standards violations.

A joint press release dated August 8, 2024, said that during the inspection, it was discovered that the Grandma Mineral Water Factory was operating without the necessary permits from both the EPA and NPHIL.

Additionally, the release stated that the facility was found to be unhygienic, raising serious concerns about the safety and quality of the water being produced.

The EPA’s laboratory analysis of the facility’s water showed an average pH value of 5.1, which is below the Liberia Water Quality Standard (Class I) requirements for pH levels. 

According to the EPA, this discrepancy indicates that the water sold to the public was unsafe for consumption. Thus, the EPA and NPHIL took action to shut down the Grandma Mineral Water Factory on August 6, 2024, as a means of protecting public health and ensuring environmental and health regulations compliance.

According to the release, the EPA is committed to ensuring all sachet water production facilities in Liberia adhere to the highest safety and hygiene standards. 

The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia has, at the same time, urged all water production companies to obtain the necessary permits and maintain proper sanitary conditions to safeguard public health. –Press release