AN ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER
QUALITY AND SANITARY INSPECTION
OF BOREHOLES IN THE ADENTAN
MUNICIPALITY OF THE GREATER
ACCRA REGION
NATHANAIEL KAFUI KODJO DUMASHIE
BSc. Biological Science, Dip Ed.
1
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
• Adentan Municipality never enjoyed constant
supply of water.
• Location on periphery of Accra puts it in a
problematic situation.
• Urbanisation, population growth are increasing
pressure on cities, resulting in people living
without adequate provision of water,
sanitation.
2
• Ghana government, some N.G.O.’s have
constructed boreholes, hand dug wells
countrywide.
• These non-treated water sources are being
increasingly used as drinking water, yet testing
to see whether the water is of good quality or
not is non-existent (Obiri-Danso et al., 2009).
3
MAIN OBJECTIVE
• To determine the quality of water
in nine boreholes in the Adentan
Municipality and carry out a
sanitary inspection of the
boreholes.
4
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
• To identify the potential risks of contamination of
water in the boreholes.
• To determine the physico-chemical, ion and heavy
metal parameters of water in the boreholes.
• To assess the levels of total heterotrophic bacteria,
total and faecal coliforms in the water.
5
METHODOLOGY
Water was sampled from nine boreholes
6
Fig.1 Map of Adentan Municipality
7
PARAMETERS TESTED
PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
Insitu Testing:
Temp, pH, TDS and Cond, Turbidity, Salinity
In the laboratory:
Alkalinity, Total Suspended Solids, Colour
IONS
Nitrate, Phosphate, Sulphate, Bicarbonate,
Chloride and Fluoride
HEAVY METAL
Mn, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe, Ca, Mg
8
PARAMETERS TESTED (cont’d)
Bacteriological Testing
Total heterotrophic bacteria
total coliforms
faecal coliforms
Sanitary Inspections
Systematic inspection of all nine boreholes
Risk-to-health analysis
Sanitary inspections scores were combined with mean
faecal coliform levels to derive a risk-to-health matrix.
9
Physico chemical, ions, heavy metals and
bacteria were compared with WHO and
GWCL standards.
10
RESULTS & DISCUSSION
Physico Chemical Parameters
pH fell within W.H.O and G.W.C.L. limits at
all the sites except at Station (STN) where the
water was found to be acidic (5.80-6.20) below
W.H.O and G.W.C.L. range
11
Physico-chemical parameters of borehole water at
Station (STN)
Table 1.
SAMPLING
DATE
(MONTH &
YEAR)
Temperature
(oC)
EC
(µS/cm)
Dec-2011
28.50±0.05
Jan-2012
PARAMETER
pH
Turbidity
(NTU)
TSS (mg/L)
1349.00±0.00
6.20±0.00
0.72±0.00
0.00±0.00
28.70±0.09
1400.00±0.00
5.90±0.00
0.67±0.08
0.00±0.00
Feb-2012
29.00±0.05
1686.00±0.00
5.80±0.00
0.98±0.02
1.00±0.00
Mar-2012
29.20±0.02
1709.00±0.00
5.80±0.00
0.97±0.01
2.00±0.00
Apr-2012
29.00±0.15
1675.00±0.00
5.93±0.00
1.60±0.01
0.00±0.00
May-2012
29.50±0.03
1690.00±0.00
5.92±0.00
0.77±0.05
0.00±0.00
W.H.O. Limit
G.W.C.L.
Limit
25.00
1500.00
6.50-8.50
5.00
500.00
-
-
6.50-8.50
0.00-15.00
0.00
12
• Turbidity satisfied WHO
standards except at ACS.
and
G.W.C.L.
13
Physico-chemical parameters of borehole water at
Adenta Community School (ACS)
Table 2
PARAMETER
SAMPLING
DATE
(MONTH &
YEAR)
Temperature
(oC)
EC
(µS/cm)
Dec-2011
29.10±0.08
Jan-2012
pH
Turbidity
(NTU)
TSS
(mg/L)
1682.00±0.00
7.40 ±0.00
13.80±0.22
9.00±0.00
29.00±0.52
1671.00±0.00
7.40±0.00
4.19±0.07
1.00±0.00
Feb-2012
30.20±0.59
2671.00±0.00
7.30±0.00
13.00±1.92
1.20±0.00
Mar-2012
30.00±0.14
2902.00±0.00
7.20±0.00
16.60±0.25
4.00±0.00
Apr-2012
29.00±0.05
2906.00±0.00
7.35±0.00
4.53±0.19
0.00±0.00
May-2012
29.50±0.13
2968.00±0.00
7.11±0.00
24.90±0.18
0.00±0.00
W.H.O. Limit
G.W.C.L.
Limit
25.00
1500.00
6.50-8.50
5.00
500.00
-
-
6.50-8.50
0.00-15.00
0.00
14
• Values for total dissolved solids at ASH,
AdMA, ACS, NL, SRA, ADJ, OGB all
exceeded both WHO and GWCL standards.
15
Physico-chemical parameters of borehole water at
Ashiyie (ASH)
PARAMETER
SAMPLING
DATE
(MONTH &
YEAR)
TDS
(mg/L)
Alkalinity
(mg/L)
Salinity (‰)
Colour (Ptco)
Total Hardness
(mg/L)
Dec-2011
876.00±0.00
88.40±0.00
1.00±0.00
8.00±0.73
952.53±0.00
Jan-2012
725.00±0.00
87.60±0.00
2.00±0.00
3.00±0.72
526.65±0.00
Feb-2012
1035.00±0.00
94.60±0.00
3.00±0.00
19.00±0.68
658.34±0.00
Mar-2012
1040.00±0.00
84.60±0.00
3.00±0.00
0.00±0.69
475.78±0.00
1028.00±0.00
92.60±0.00
6.00±0.00
4.00±0.93
502.82±0.00
May-2012
1050.00±0.00
102.10±0.00
5.00±0.00
5.00±0.89
517.27±0.00
W.H.O. Limit
G.W.C.L.
Limit
1000.00
200.00
-
15.00
500.00
1000.00
-
-
0.00-15.00
500.00
Table 3
Apr-2012
16
• Total suspended solids (TSS) and alkalinity at
all the nine sites were within safe limits of the
W.H.O..
• Temperature, conductivity and total hardness
at various times during the study were higher
than W.H.O. standards at all nine sites.
17
ION CONCENTRATIONS
• Phosphate and nitrate at all the nine sites were
within safe limits of the W.H.O. However a
value of 11.20mg/L nitrate was recorded at
AdMA in March and May, 2012, outside the
G.W.C.L. range of 0.00-10.00mg/L
18
Ion Concentrations in borehole at Adenta Municipal
Assembly (AdMA)
Table 4
SAMPLIN
G DATE
(MONTH &
YEAR)
Phosphate
Nitrate
Dec-2011
0.55±0.00
8.44±0.00
105.10±0.00 112.60±0.00 174.62±0.00
2.40±0.00
Jan-2012
0.48±0.00
7.60±0.00
114.92±0.00 104.50±0.00 71.04±0.00
2.09±0.00
Feb-2012
0.44±0.00
9.20±0.00
124.93±0.00 124.50±0.00 74.60±0.00
2.24±0.00
Mar-2012
0.44±0.00
11.20±0.00
107.80±0.00 152.40±0.00 70.10±0.00
2.19±0.00
Apr-2012
0.38±0.00
7.50±0.00
149.33±0.00 182.00±0.00 75.22±0.00
2.11±0.00
May-2012
W.H.O.
Limit
G.W.C.L.
Limit
0.42±0.00
11.20±0.00
160.06±0.00 246.00±0.00 70.10±0.00
1.99±0.00
8.00
50.00
-
-
0.00-10.00
-
PARAMETER (mg/L)
Bicarbonate
Sulphate
400.00
Chloride
250.00
0.00-400.00 0.00-600.00
Fluoride
1.50
0.00-1.50
19
• Sulphate concentrations at SRA, OGB, ADJ
and NL were higher at certain times of the
study above W.H.O. and G.W.C.L. limits of
400.00mg/L.
20
Ion Concentrations in borehole at Sraha (SRA)
Table 5
SAMPLING
DATE
(MONTH &
YEAR)
Dec-2011
Jan-2012
Feb-2012
Mar-2012
Apr-2012
May-2012
W.H.O.
Limit
G.W.C.L.
Limit
PARAMETER (mg/L)
Phosphate
Nitrate
Bicarbonate
Sulphate
Chloride
Fluoride
0.16±0.00
1.90±0.00
104.20±0.00
204.20±0.00
115.41±0.00
0.25±0.00
0.60±0.00
2.20±0.00
102.72±0.00
264.60±0.00
0.01±0.00
0.17±0.00
0.53±0.00
2.60±0.00
134.44±0.00
270.00±0.00
2.46±0.00
1.27±0.00
0.55±0.00
3.00±0.00
100.70±0.00
276.40±0.00
0.00±0.00
1.28±0.00
0.56±0.00
2.30±0.00
149.82±0.00
450.20±0.00
288.60±0.00
0.19±0.00
0.66±0.00
4.20±0.00
125.17±0.00
364.20±0.00
2.46±0.00
0.26±0.00
8.00
50.00
-
400.00
250.00
1.50
-
0.00-10.00
-
0.00-400.00
0.00-600.00
0.00-1.50
21
• Chloride values at all the sites fell within the
G.W.C.L. tolerable range of 0.00-600.00mg/L.
Values at ACS, SRA, STN and NL however
fell above the W.H.O. safe limit of 250.00mg/L
at various times during the study.
22
Ion Concentrations in borehole at Adenta Community
School (ACS)
Table 6
SAMPLIN
G DATE
(MONTH &
Phosphate
YEAR)
PARAMETER (mg/L)
Nitrate
Bicarbonate
Sulphate
Chloride
Fluoride
Dec-2011
0.76±0.00
0.90±0.00
103.40±0.00 148.20±0.00 165.88±0.00
1.55±0.00
Jan-2012
0.70±0.00
0.80±0.00
105.16±0.00 166.20±0.00 138.51±0.00
0.17±0.00
Feb-2012
0.35±0.00
2.30±0.00
117.36±0.00 154.20±0.00 122.60±0.00
2.05±0.00
Mar-2012
0.82±0.00
2.60±0.00
114.90±0.00 136.80±0.00 120.60±0.00
2.07±0.00
Apr-2012
0.63±0.00
0.40±0.00
129.56±0.00 228.00±0.00 288.50±0.00
0.66±0.00
May-2012
W.H.O.
Limit
G.W.C.L.
Limit
0.88±0.00
0.70±0.00
121.51±0.00 272.10±0.00 121.40±0.00
1.99±0.00
8.00
50.00
-
400.00
250.00
1.50
-
0.00-10.00
-
0.00-400.00
0.00-600.00
0.00-1.5023
• During the six months study, all the sites
except SRA, recorded fluoride concentrations
above the W.H.O. limit of 1.50mg/L and
G.W.C.L. range of 0.00-1.50mg/L
24
HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION
• Calcium concentrations at ASH, ACS, SRA,
OGB, ADJ and NL were above the W.H.O.
limit at various times.
• Each of the nine sites recorded magnesium
concentrations above the W.H.O. limit of
50mg/L at various times.
25
Heavy Metal Concentrations in borehole at Ashiyie
(ASH)
Table 7
SAMPLING
DATE
(MONTH &
YEAR)
Dec 2011
Jan 2012
Feb 2012
Mar 2012
Apr 2012
May 2012
W.H.O. Limit
G.W.C.L. Limit
PARAMETER (mg/L)
Calcium
Magnesium
Copper
Manganese
232.30±0.00
90.45±0.00
ND*
0.29±0.00
164.90±0.00
27.90±0.00
ND*
0.34±0.00
149.00±0.00
69.52±0.00
0.01±0.00
0.39±0.00
140.90±0.00
30.10±0.00
0.01±0.00
0.37±0.00
155.11±0.00
28.05±0.00
0.01±0.00
0.32±0.00
160.80±0.00
28.11±0.00
0.01±0.00
0.37±0.00
200.00
50.00
2.00
0.50
-
-
1.00
0.00-0.10
26
• Water in all the nine boreholes recorded copper
and zinc concentrations within the W.H.O.
limit throughout the study period.
27
• Manganese concentration at ACS, SRA and
VPS were outside the W.H.O. limit, at various
months during the study
28
Heavy Metal Concentrations in borehole at Adenta
Community School (ACS)
Table 8
SAMPLING
DATE
(MONTH &
YEAR)
Dec 2011
Jan 2012
Feb 2012
Mar 2012
Apr 2012
May 2012
W.H.O. Limit
G.W.C.L. Limit
PARAMETER (mg/L)
Calcium
Magnesium
Copper
Manganese
223.30±0.00
92.47±0.00
ND*
0.93±0.00
186.60±0.00
27.62±0.00
0.06±0.00
0.30±0.00
139.90±0.00
85.94±0.00
0.01±0.00
0.73±0.00
140.20±0.00
30.22±0.00
0.01±0.00
0.80±0.00
180.44±0.00
28.00±0.00
0.01±0.00
0.31±0.00
143.20±0.00
31.01±0.00
0.01±0.00
0.81±0.00
200.00
50.00
2.00
0.50
-
-
1.00
0.00-0.10
29
• Iron concentrations at ACS and VPS were
above the W.H.O. and G.W.C.L. limits of
0.30mg/L at various times of the study.
• Chromium and lead were not detected at any
of the borehole sites throughout the study.
30
Heavy Metal Concentrations in borehole at Victory
Presby School (VPS)
Table 9
SAMPLING
DATE
(MONTH &
YEAR)
PARAMETER (mg/L)
Iron
0.44±0.00
Zinc
0.01±0.00
0.11±0.00
0.02±0.00
0.34±0.00
0.03±0.00
0.25±0.00
0.02±0.00
0.30±0.00
0.02±0.00
0.24±0.00
0.02±0.00
0.30
0.00-0.30
ND*
ND*
ND*
ND*
ND*
ND*
ND*
ND*
ND*
ND*
ND*
3.00
0.05
0.01
5.00
-
0.01
Jan 2012
Feb 2012
Mar 2012
Apr 2012
May 2012
G.W.C.L. Limit
Lead
ND*
Dec 2011
W.H.O. Limit
Chromium
31
MICROBIAL INDICATORS
• Total heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms
and faecal coliforms were present in the water
samples at all the nine sites, with Sraha (SRA)
recording the highest of all the microbial
indicators in March 2012.
32
Microbial indicator numbers of water in borehole at Sraha
(SRA)
Table 10
PARAMETERS (CFU/100mL)
SAMPLING DATE
(MONTH & YEAR)
Total Heterotrophic
Bacteria
Total Coliform
Dec-2011
3.00x102±0.43
0.00
Jan-2012
0.00
Feb-2012
0.00
Mar-2012
1.54x104±0.00
Apr-2012
6.70x103±0.02
May-2012
1.05x103±0.07
W.H.O. Limit
0.00
G.W.C.L. Limit
0.00
0.00
0.00
1.33x104±0.02
1.60x103±0.02
0.00
0.00
0.00
Faecal Coliform
0.00
0.00
0.00
9.35x103±0.00
8.50x102±0.08
0.00
0.00
0.00
33
Sanitary Inspections
• The boreholes were sited very close to public
toilets, refuse dumps, commercial areas like
lorry parks and markets and in the vicinity of
domestic and grazing animals.
34
Public toilet located near to borehole with hand pump at ADJ. A
refuse dump can be seen to the left of the borehole.
35
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
CONCLUSION
WHO standards:
• no adverse effects from pH (except at STN),
total suspended solids (TSS), alkalinity,
phosphate, nitrate, copper and zinc.
• adverse effects from temperature, conductivity,
total dissolved solids (TDS) (except at VPS
and STN), total hardness, fluoride (except at
SRA), and magnesium
36
CONCLUSION (Cont’d)
G.W.C.L. standards:
• no adverse effects from pH (except at STN),
turbidity (except at ACS), nitrate (except at
AdMA), chloride, copper and zinc are concerned.
• adverse effects due to total dissolved solids (TDS)
(except at VPS and STN), total hardness, fluoride
(except at SRA), magnesium and manganese
(except at NL and OGB).
• Water is contaminated with animal and human
waste and unsuitable for drinking purposes.
37
CONCLUSION (Cont’d)
• Sanitary inspection generally showed that
septic tanks, choked soakage pits, human
activities and animal wastes contributed
significantly to poor water quality.
• Risk analysis shows importance to take urgent
action to improve on potability of water from
boreholes.
38
RECOMMENDATIONS
• boreholes should be sited at least 10m away from
latrines.
• Creation of rubbish dumps should be discouraged.
• Borehole facilities should be fenced.
• The drainage systems at the STN, NL and OGB
borehole facilities should be properly sloped
• Borehole aprons should be well reinforced with
steel wire (OGB).
• Hand pump at SRA should be firmly tightened
onto the base.
39