Assessment of Drinking Water Quality in Ehi Community in the Ketu- North District of the Volta Region of Ghana
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Date
2011-06-20
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Abstract
Ehi community depends on bore holes, surface water and shallow hand dug wells. The aim of this study was to assess the drinking water quality of these sources, between November, 2010 and March 2011. Total coliform, E. coli and total heterotrophic bacteria were enumerated using membrane filtration method. Comprehensive physicochemical parameters were determined. Overall, higher bacterial counts were recorded for all sources, except for Bore hole. Values recorded for both physicochemical and bacteriological were within WHO guideline values. Most of chemical ions concentrations were well within WHO guideline values for all the six samples except that higher level of sodium was recorded at Biasevudo well and higher level of Iron at Dzago stream. The ranking in terms of potability are in the order; bore hole water > shallow well water > surface water.
Water from shallow hand dug wells, and surface waters upon which the community depends is of poor quality as these are sited close to refuse pits, latrines and areas accessible to domestic animals. The data are being used to advise the district assembly. An integrated approach is therefore required to minimize feacal pollution of wells and surface water bodies within the community.
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A thesis submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Environmental Science