Assessment of the Water Quality of the Nalerigu Dam in the East Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region of Ghana

Abstract

The study was aimed at analysing the health risk of the consumers and users of the Nalerigu dam in the North East Region of Ghana. The study investigated the water quality of the Nalerigu dam and compared to the WHO recommended levels for both physicochemical and bacteriological parameters. There was also a survey of 99 out of 135 household heads who were within 50 meters around the dam to assess their usage of the dam water. The sampled dam water was analysed at the Water Research Institute laboratory in Tamale. The water pH was found to range from 6.30 to 6.50 with a mean temperature range of 30.3 to 30.5°C. The turbidity of the water exceeded the WHO limits. Other physicochemical parameters monitored including total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, total hardness, total alkalinity values were within the WHO recommended levels for surface water quality. Results of the bacteriological analysis total coliforms for samples A, B and C were 69, 106 and 70 cfu/mlwhilst that of the faecal coliforms were respectively 23, 43 and 20 cfu/ml and shows that consumers and users of the Nalerigu dam were at risk of contracting diseases associated with water pollution.It was concluded that the Nalerigu dam was contaminated and unsafe for human consumption if not treated. The study recommends a further study into metallic concentration of the dam to ensure the quality besides physicochemical and bacteriological parameters of the dam.