Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology Research Scholars Research Library J. Microbiol. Biotech. Res., 2013, 3 (3):126-131 (http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/archive.html) ISSN : 2231 –3168 CODEN (USA) : JMBRB4 126 Available online at www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com Physicochemical changes and bacteriological contamination of drinking water from wash bores in Jere, Borno State, Nigeria Hauwa S. Bello, Mustafa Alhaji Isa, Abubakar Shettima and Ibrahim A. Allamin Departments of Microbiology, University of Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Physicochemical changes and bacteriological contamination of water samples from four different wash boreholes located at various place within Jere local government area of Borno state were carried out, and the results obtained were compared with World Health Organization (WHO), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Nigeria Standard of Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) standard for drinking water. Physicochemical analysis was performed for the analysis of the samples pH, Dissolve carbon (IV) oxide, Chloride, Total hardness, Sulphate, Fluoride, Nitrate, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Iron and Chromium while bacteriological examination was used for the determination of total coliform count and fecal coliform count. However, the boreholes contained abnormal level of total coliform count and inorganic metal such as lead which constitutes a major health problem. Therefore, treatment of water from these washes boreholes before consumption was highly recommended in this study and also people were advice to stop using water from the borehole contaminated with lead content. Key words: WHO, NAFDAC, NSDWQ, Water and Wash boreholes _____________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Water is present in almost all part of the earth, it constitute up to three quarter (3/4) of the whole earth surface and occurs in three states ; solid, liquid and gas, it is mostly require by all forms of life, Man, Animals and plants [1-3]. Water plays indispensible role for sustenance of life, without which no life could survive on earth [4-7]. Maintaining the standard of water is very important for human being since it is directly linked with his daily life [8]. Water is one of the essentials that support all forms of plant and animal life [9-10], and it is generally acquire from two major natural sources; Surface water such as fresh water lakes, rivers, streams, etc. and Ground water such as borehole water and well water [11-12]. The importance of water quality to the health of people cannot be over emphasized. Healthy people and good environment flourish where water is available in adequate quantity and acceptable quality. Adequate provision of water is directly correlated with life expectancy [13]. Many illnesses occurred due to usage of poor quality water. There were estimated 4 billion cases of diarrhoea and 2.2 million deaths annually. The Federal Ministry of Health and various State Ministries of Health in Nigeria are reporting increased number of cases of gastroenteritis, diarrhea, typhoid and cholera which are indicative of poor drinking water quality. The gradual deterioration of water quality is a result of the increase in human populations and urbanization [14-15]. It therefore becomes necessary to monitor at different intervals the quality of water from various sources in a community as to appraise and respond to any health related problem associated with drinking water [16]. Over the years, there has been a considerable growth in the awareness of environmental pollution problems and it has become a major national and international political issues. One of these major pollution problems is water