Available online at www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com Scholars Research Library Archives of Applied Science Research, 2012, 4 (5):2115-2121 (http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/archive.html) ISSN 0975-508X CODEN (USA) AASRC9 2115 Scholars Research Library Physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of selected streams and boreholes in Akamkpa and Calabar Municipality, Nigeria *Okorafor, K. A. 1 ; Agbo, B. E. 2 ; Johnson, A. M. 1 and Chiorlu, M. 1 1 Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. 2 Department of Microbiology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of some streams and boreholes which supply drinking water to the inhabitants of Akamkpa and Calabar municipality were examined. The water samples collected from five streams and six boreholes (eleven sampling locations) were subjected to physico-chemical test and membrane filtration techniques. The physico-chemical parameters examined include pH, temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, zinc, lead, dissolved solids, ammonium, nitrate, manganese and iron. Results from physico-chemical test showed that parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, odour, calcium, magnesium, nitrate and ammonium, for all the samples were lower than the WHO standard. Only two of the water supply sources (B1 and B4) met the WHO standard (for coliform count) for drinking water, as coliforms were isolated from other sources except the two. Water samples from streams had a significantly higher coliform (E. coli) counts (P˂0.05) compared to those collected from boreholes. The potential impacts of unsafe drinking water are discussed and recommendations to salvage the situation offered. Keywords: physico-chemical, Bacteriological, stream, boreholes, drinking water. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Water is essential to sustain life; therefore a satisfactory (adequate, safe and accessible) supply of drinking water should be available to all. Every effort should be made to achieve a good quality of drinking water [20]. Quality water is of basic importance to human physiology and man’s continued existence depends very much on water availability [1] [5]. The provision of portable water to rural and urban population is necessary to prevent health hazards [6] [12]. Drinking water is one of the oldest public health issues and is associated with a multitude of health related concerns. Access to safe drinking water is a prerequisite to poverty reduction and prevention of the spread of water-borne and sanitation related diseases [7] [16] [17]. Water quality assessment has become a big issue today because of the potential hazards associated with the use of contaminated water supply. Consequent to the realization of the potential health hazards that may result from contaminated drinking water, contamination of drinking water from any source is therefore of primary importance because of the danger and risk of water borne diseases [11]. Various researchers have reported on the serious and severe illness likes typhoid, cholera, dysentery etc. resulting from the use of contaminated water supply [2] [4] [14]. In general, certain requirements must be met for water to be fit for human consumption. These requirements are freedom from organisms and chemicals substances which might be injurious to health. Drinking water should be of