Assessment of physiochemical properties and bacteriological diversity of Otamiri river in Owerri eastern Nigeri

The physiochemical and bacteria diversity of Otamiri River was analyzed using standard microbiological methods. A total seventy two (72) water twenty four (24) sediment samples were collected. routine plate count revealed that the number heterotrophic present ranged from 1.00E+06 Cfu/ml to 9.70E+06 Cfu/ml, fecal coliform 2.00E+05 9.00E+06 Salmonella/Shigella 3.50E+05 1.52E+07 Staphylococcus 1.79E+07 4.59E+08 Vibrio 1.50E+05 3.52E+07 Cfu/ml. Anaerobic 2.85E+06 proportion isolated showed Alcaligens faecalis had highest 68(94.44), 24(100), followed by Lysinibacillus macrolides 54(75), 21(87.5) while Lactobacillus spp least in sample 6(8.33), Klebsiella aerogenes 6(25). Among parameters river values above recommended WHO. biophysical did not meet WHO for portable water. Therefore, prevent potential health risks, those who use domestic purposes must appropriately cleanse it before use. government day should devise ways disposing solid waste effluent rather than channel same into enact strict laws will punish individual, agencies firms indulge such order protect natural bodies pollution. Statistical analysis variance Posthoc = Tukey Alpha (0.05) indicated mean counts between sampling stations differ significantly at 0.05 level.