The study examined the comparative analysis of Ugwuomu River in Nigeria. The physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of the water samples were determined using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) procedures. The following parameters were determined as follows: pH values, colour, odour, total, calcium and magnesium hardness, acidity, heavy metals such as iron, lead, cadmium, arsenic, copper, aluminium, and presence of faecal contaminants (Coliforms) and their results; the pH and acidity of the samples were very low with some samples having a pH of 3.9 and acidity of 0.1 but not within the WHO permissible level (6.5-8.5). The samples were odour free, the total hardness of the water samples were not within the WHO permissible level of 80mg/l and also the magnesium level for the five water samples do not fall within the WHO permissible level of 0.2 but are closed to the WHO range. Samples used for domestic purpose were found to heavily polluted with cadmium (0.351 mg/l) as compared to WHO standard 0.005mg/l. Contamination of water by heavy metals could cause the following diseases such as, damaged or reduced mental and central nervous function, lower energy levels, and damage to blood composition, lungs, kidney, liver and other vital organs. Test for faecal contaminants shows that the water samples contain faecal contaminants which may be capable of causing harm to the human host (i.e. Gram negative bacilli). Based on the comparison, a conclusion was drawn that Ugwuomu River is not portable for domestic, human and animal use.
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