The availability of potable water is an important ingredient for preventing epidemic water borne disease and improving the quality of life.  This study investigated the bacteriological quality of selected drinking water sources in Minna metropolis.  Water samples were collected from borehole and tap water from Bosso and Gidan kwanu campuses of Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.  Bacteria isolation was carried out using standard spread plate method and Most Probable Number (MPN) techniques.  Data generated from the study were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).  Results revealed that the total bacteria counts for the water samples ranges from 4.00±2.00^a x 10² cfu/mL - 34.50±2.50^e x10² cfu/mL,  faecal coliform count ranges from 5.00±5.00^b x10² cfu/mL - 19.00±1.00^c x10² cfu/mL, while the occurrence of coliform ranged from 23.50±19.50^a  - 1100.00±0.00^f MPN/100mL which shows that there was significant difference at p<0.05.  The organisms isolated were identified as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp, Salmonella sp, Shigella sp, Bacillus sp and Klebsiella sp with Klebsiella sp.  (31.33%) and Escherichia coli (6.02%) having the highest and lowest frequency of occurrence respectively (31.33%).  The physicochemical analysis revealed that not all water samples were within the acceptable standard for drinking water . pH range from (7.59±0.13^a - 8.79±0.55^a), Total hardness range from (51.50±1.50^a - 171.50±10.50^c mg/L) and turbidity range from (0.00±0.00^a -14.50±0.50^d NTU).  No significant difference between pH while total hardness and turbidity showed significant difference at (p<0.05) and the microbial counts exceeded the standard limit.  The presence of these organisms in the water sample shows that the water is not potable.  Storage tanks should be washed and disinfected regularly to prevent contamination of water.

KEYWORDS:  Boreholes, Coliforms, Water-borne disease, Pathogenic microbes