51BACTERIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF BOREHOLE WATER IN ABAKALIKI METROPOLIS, NIGERIAThe study on the bacteriological and physico-chemical examination of borehole water was conducted in Abakaliki metropolis, Ebonyi State between June to August, 2011. A total of twenty-four samples were assessed for the presence of coliform bacteria using Most Probable Number techniques. The study revealed that E. coli, Klebsiella aerogenes (8.64%), Bacillus sp (6.25 %), Salmonella sp (10.5%) and Bacillus subtilis (8.62%) were isolated from the water samples assessed, where E. coli (65.5%) was recorded highest among others from samples collected at Ogbaga road and Udensi. However, the physico- chemical study showed that pH of various samples ranged from 7.0-9.0 while the concentration of magnesium, lead and calcium ranged between 61-68mg/l, 0.31-0.35mg/l and 81-89mg/l respectively. The statistical analysis done using chisquare (p<0.05) method showed that Udensi and Ogbaga road boreholes have high bacteria load with normal levels of chemical constituents when compared to others hence the quality of the borehole waters for drinking are in the order: Udensi>Ogbaga road >Presco>Nkaliki>Udemezie> CAS borehole. From the standpoint of bacteriological and physicochemical parameters examined, all the Abakaliki borehole water did not meet the World Health Organization Standards and should be treated or boiled before drinking.Jesuniyi4wealth@yahoo.comResearch422014Borehole,Bacteria,Physico-chemical,AbakalikiOdikamnoro OO, Omowaye OS,Aneke GUDepartment of Applied Biology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki,Department of Applied Biology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki,Department of Biological Science, Kogi State University, Anyigba, P.M.B 1008, Anyigba, Nigeria.