Assessing the Quality of Rainwater from Different Roof Types in Kuntanase, Ghana

Abstract

Aims: The present study assessed the quality of rainwater harvested from three different roofing types namely aluminium, thatch and galvanised in Kuntanase, Ashanti Region, Ghana. Study Design: A total of twenty one samples were collected from three different roof types (aluminium, thatch and galvanised) from the study area. Place and Duration of Study: Triplicate samples were collected from each sampling site in the study area from March to April, 2014. Methodology: Samples were collected and kept in ice chest (4°C) and conveyed to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science Technology laboratory for analysis of total hardness and coliforms. pH and electrical conductivity of rainwater were determined immediately after sampling in the field. Results: EC and total hardness values obtained were within World Health Organization stipulated limits for potable water except pH. The present study obtained total coliform count that ranged from 4.0 ×105 to 4.4 ×107 cfu/100 ml with a general mean of 6.45 x 106±9.58 cfu/ 100 ml. Conclusion: The study shows that microbial aerosols, debris and dirts and faecal waste are major pollutants of the rainwater harvested. The detection of total and faecal coliform from the harvested rainwater is evident that the rainwater is contaminated and has the potential of causing water-related disease burden if not treated before drinking.