Potable water is unarguably indispensable in the existence of Man. Adequate supply of safe drinking water is imperative as many dangerous diseases can be associated with unclean water used for consumption purposes. This study investigated the physico-chemical and microbiological qualities of portable water in Ugbowo, Benin City, Nigeria. A total of five different potable water sources were investigated and were selected randomly in the study place. The result showed that four of the potable water sources which include; Sources A (SA), Sources B (SB), Sources C (SC), Sources D (SD), were fit for drinking after comparing them with the WHO’s, EU’s, SON’s standards of drinking water quality, while sample E was not found to be fit for drinking as a result of its high microbiological load after comparison with above standards. Communities should be educated and enlightened on the ill effects of consuming unclean water as vast range of water borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid can emanate from such consumption. Various NGOs and governmental agencies must deem it fit to continually investigate portable water qualities to enable urgent response when necessary.

Keywords: Portable water, Quality, Health, Diseases, Standards