Abstract
Golinga reservoir provides water for drinking and domestic and agricultural activities for its surrounding communities. However, competitive demand and multiple-use necessitated a study into the influence of the multipurpose use on the water quality and subsequent health risks. The 6-month research employed observations and water sampling to assess the impact. Empirical orthogonal function, analysis of variance, and variance–covariance were run to interpret the obtained data. The study recorded ranges for pH (6.65–7.11 pH units), turbidity (3.33–80.66 NTU), conductivity (67.73–191.93), nitrate-nitrogen (0.13–6.17 mg/L), PO4-P (0.01–0.08 mg/L), sulphate (0.05–0.09 mg/L), fluoride (0.12–0.32 mg/L), sodium (4.67–15.46 mg/L), potassium (2.20–3.75 mg/L), faecal coliform (log10 1.30–log10 2.56 cfu/100 mL), E. coli (log10 0.77–log10 1.23 cfu/100 mL), and Salmonella spp. (log10 1.51–log10 1.62 cfu/100 mL). All except turbidity fell within acceptable levels. Pairing the physical and chemical parameters showed a significant relationship (p < 0.05) except for pH and Na+, SO42−, K+ and F−, Na+ and K+, and F−, and K+ and F−, and SO42− and F− and SO42− which revealed no significance (p > 0.05). Pairing the bacteria loads was presented a significant association (p < 0.05) except for faecal coliform and Salmonella spp. which were not significant (p > 0.05). Frequent activities were noted to support the revelation of high faecal contamination. The research suggests community by-laws enforcement curtail cattle movement as well as adequate disinfection methods to render the water suitable for potable use. The presence of pathogenic bacteria was attributed to open defaecation which poses negative health effects such as gastroenteritis, especially when water is orally consumed without prior treatment. Open defaecation was noted and supports the detection of high faecal contamination. The research suggests the promotion of simpler disinfection methods to render the water potable, enforcement of community by-laws, and in-depth environmental quality monitoring.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abagale, F. K., Oredola, T. A. K., & Osei, A. R. (2014). Organochlorine pesticides levels in irrigation water of the Golinga dam, Tolon Distict Ghana. Elixir Pollution Journal, 72(2014), 25610–25615
Abanyie, S. K., Ampadu, B., Saeed, Z. M., Amuah, E. E. Y., Douti, N. B., & Owusu, G. (2019). The roles of community-based water and sanitation management teams (WSMTs) for sustainable development: An example of the Bawku West District, Ghana. AJEST, 13(11), 439–449
Abarike, E. D., & Ampofo-Yeboah, A. (2016). Reproductive potential of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1757) in the Golinga reservoir in Ghana. Available at http://www.udsspace.uds.edu.gh/handle/123456789/1520 (Accessed 23 Aug 2021)
Abubakari, A. H., Nyarko, G., Yidana, J. A., Mahunu, G. K., Abagale, F. K., Quainoo, A., ... & Avornyo, V. (2012). Comparative studies of soil characteristics in Shea parklands of Ghana. Available at https://academicjournals.org/article/article1380045417_Abubakari%20et%20al.pdf. Accessed 20 May 2021
Adaptation fund project (2012). Increased resilience to climate change in Northern Ghana through the management of water resources and diversification of livelihoods. A report presented to the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Adongo, A. T., Abagale, F. K., & Kranjac-Berisavljevic, G. (2015). Soil quality of irrigable lands of irrigation schemes in Northern Ghana. International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, 2(8). Available at http://udsspace.uds.edu.gh/handle/123456789/707?mode=full. Accessed 10 Mar 2021
Adzitey, F., Sumaila, N., & Haruna, A. (2015). Anti-biotic susceptibility of E. coli isolated from some drinking water sources in Tamale Metropolis of Ghana. Current Research in Bacteriology, 8, 34–40
American Public Health Association (APHA)/American Water Works Association/Water Environment Federation (2017). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. (23rd edn). Washington D.C.
Asamoah, D. N., & Amorin, R. (2011). Assessment of the quality of bottled/sachet water in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality (TM) of Ghana. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 3(5), 377–385
Asare-Donkor, N. K., Kwaansa-Ansah, E. E., Opoku, F., & Adimado, A. A. (2015). Concentrations, hydrochemistry and risk evaluation of selected heavy metals along the Jimi River and its tributaries at Obuasi a mining enclave in Ghana. Environmental Systems Research, 4(1), 1–14
Azhdarpoor, A., Salehi, N., Heidari, H., Sarmadipour, M., & Mahmoudian, H. (2019). Relationship between turbidity and microbial load of water in Salman Farsi dam reservoir. Journal of Environment Pollution and Management, 2, 201
Bhatnagar, A., & Devi, P. (2013). Water quality guidelines for the management of pond fish culture. International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 3(6), 1980.
Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) (2009). Available at http://www.ciese.org/materials/resources/ (Accessed on 10 Feb 2021).
Chapman, D. (1992). Water quality assessment, a guide to the use of biota, sediments and water in environmental monitoring. University Press.
Chapman, D. V., & WHO (1996). World Health Organization, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and United Nations Development Programme 1996 Water quality assessments: A guide to the use of biota, sediments and water in environmental monitoring. edited by Deborah Chapman, 2nd ed. London; E & FN.
Cobbina, S. J., Anyidoho, L. Y., Nyame, F., & Hodgson, I. O. A. (2010). Water quality status of dugouts from five districts in Northern Ghana: Implications for sustainable water resources management in a water-stressed tropical savannah environment. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 167(1–4), 405–416
Cobbina, S., Duwiejuah, A., Quansah, R., Obiri, S., & Bakobie, N. (2015). Comparative assessment of heavy metals in drinking water sources in two small-scale mining communities in Northern Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(9), 10620–10634
Douti, N. B., Amuah, E. E. Y., Abanyie, S. K., & Amanin-Ennin, P. (2021). Irrigation water quality and its impact on the physicochemical and microbiological contamination of vegetables produced from market gardening: a case of the Vea Irrigation Dam, UER, Ghana. Journal of Water and Health, 19(2), 203–215
Duwiejuah, A. B., Cobbina, S. J., & Akrong, M. O. (2013). Effect of storage on the quality of sachet-vended water in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. Journal of Environmental Protection, 4(06), 629.
FAO/ISRIC/ISSS (1998). World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB); World Soil Resources Report No. 84; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Rome, Italy, 1998
Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) (2014). 2010 population and housing census: District analytical report Tolon district. http://www2.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010_District_Report/Northern/TOLON.pdf (Accessed 11 Jan 2021).
Government of Ghana (2015). National Drinking Water Quality Management Framework for Ghana (NDWQMF). Available at https://www.gwcl.com.gh/national_drinking_water_quality__management_framework.pdf (Accessed 10 Feb 2021).
Hanning, I. B., Nutt, J. D., & Ricke, S. C. (2009). Salmonellosis outbreaks in the United States due to fresh produce: Sources and potential intervention measures. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 6(6), 635–648
Kahlown, M. A., & Majeed, A. (2003). Water-resources situation in Pakistan: Challenges and future strategies. Science vision journal 7(3)
Kizito, F., Panyan, E. K., Ayantunde, A. A., Bossio, D., Karbo, N., Avornyo, F. K., & Tengan, K. (2014). Water balance dynamics in mixed crop-livestock systems of Northern Ghana: unraveling the interactions between farm-level and landscape fluxes in the face of climate change. American Journal of Climate Change, 3(3), 892–305
Koffi, K. V., Obuobie, E., Banning, A., & Wohnlich, S. (2017). Hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater and surface water for domestic and irrigation purposes in Vea catchment, Northern Ghana. Environmental Earth Sciences, 76(4), 185
Liu, G., & Hanlon, E. (2012). Soil pH range for optimum commercial vegetable production. The horticultural sciences department, Florida co-operative extension service, Institute of food and agricultural sciences, University of Florida, HS1207. Available at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu (Accessed 11 June 2021).
Loh, Y. S. A., Akurugu, B. A., Manu, E., & Aliou, A. S. (2020). Assessment of groundwater quality and the main controls on its hydrochemistry in some Voltaian and basement aquifers, northern Ghana. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 10(2020):100296
Ministry of Health (MOH) (2018). The health sector in Ghana: Facts and figures, 2018 Annual report, Ghana.
Ministry of Land and Natural Resources (MLNR) (2012). The state of the world’s forest genetic resources country report – Ghana. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Mohty, K., Kay, R., Safavi, A., Memeh, K., & McClenathan, J. (2017). A case of acute abdomen caused by enteroaggregative Escherichia coli. Surgical Infections Case Reports, 2(1), 49–51
Okullo, J. O., Moturi, W. N., & Ogendi, G. M. (2017). Open defaecation and its effects on the bacteriological quality of drinking water sources in Isiolo County, Kenya. Environmental Health Insights, 11, 178630217735539
Reddy, E. A., Shaw, A. V., & Crump, J. A. (2010). Community-acquired bloodstream infections in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 10, 417–432
Safe Water Network (2020). Transforming lives with water. Available at https://www.safewaternetwork.org/countries-regions/ghana (Accessed 11 Jan 2020).
Siaw, D. (2001). State of forest genetic resources in Ghana. Sub-regional Workshop AO/IPGRI/ICRAF on the conservation, management, sustainable utilization and enhancement of forest genetic resources in Sahelian and North-Sudanian Africa (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, September 22–24, 1998). Forest Genetic Resources Working Papers, Working Paper FGR/17E. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Tetteh, I. K., Awuah, E., & Frempong, E. (2011). An empirical perspective on environmental antecedents: Part i-analysis of the environmental quality of three riparian communities associated with two dams in Kumasi, Ghana. Environmental Research Journal, 5(1). Available at http://ir.knust.edu.gh/bitstream/123456789/11941/1/ARTICLE_4.pdf. Accessed 6 Mar 2021
United Nations International Children’s Emergency fund UNICEF (2018). Draft country strategy note – Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH). Available at http://files.unicef.org/transparency/documents/Ghana%20_WASH%20PSN_26%20Sept%202017.pdf. (Accessed 20 May 2021)
United States Department of Health and Human Services Federal Panel on Community Water Fluoridation (2015). United States Public Health Service Recommendation for Fluoride Concentration in Drinking Water for the Prevention of Dental Caries. Public Health Reports, 130(4):318–331
Varol, S., & Sekerci, M. (2018). Hydrogeochemistry, water quality and health risk assessment of water resources contaminated by agricultural activities in Korkuteli (Antalya, Turkey) district center. Journal of Water and Health, 14(4), 574–599
Water Resources Commission (WRC) (2003). Ghana raw water criteria and guidelines, Vol. 1 Domestic Water, CSIR-Water Research Institute.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2007). Chemical safety of drinking water: Assessing priorities for risk management. WHO.
WHO (2011). Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for drinking-water quality. Available at https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/hardness.pdf (Accessed 20 May 2021)
WHO (2017). Guidelines for drinking-water quality: Fourth edition incorporating the first addendum. Available at https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/gdwq4-with-add1-title.pdf?ua=1 (Accessed 3 May 2020)
Zamani, A. A., Yaftian, M. R., & Parizanganeh, A. (2012). Multivariate statistical assessment of heavy metal pollution sources of groundwater around a lead and zinc plant. Iranian Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering, 9(1), 29
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the contributions of Paul Dankwa and Pearl Ndo of the C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Navrongo, for their statistical analysis assistance, and Abdul – Latif Salifu and Millicent Ewurama Adu-Boakye of the CSIR-Water Research Institute, Tamale, for their technical support. Special appreciation to Professor Samuel Cobbina, Professor Joseph Ampofo, and Dr. Ir. Alexendar Kwesi Tetteh Nuer for their motivation is also acknowledged.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Ethics declarations
Ethics Approval
Not applicable.
Consent to Participate
Not applicable.
Consent for Publication
All authors consent to the submission and publication in the journal.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Highlights
• High contamination revealed from all sampled points implies possible health risk (diarrhoea) to users especially infants.
• The prevalence of pathogenic bacteria, E. coli, is an indicator of disregard to community by-laws, since unsanitary acts contributed to the high contamination levels rendering the water unsafe for potable use.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bekoe, E.M.O., Amuah, E.E.Y., Abuntori, Z.N. et al. Water Quality Impact from the Multipurpose Use of the Golinga Reservoir in Northern Ghana. Water Air Soil Pollut 232, 390 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05331-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05331-9