Abstract
Juaben, capital of the Asante Juaben Municipality, is rapidly growing in population and urbanisation. The community relies on a mechanised small-town water system, hand-dug wells and boreholes for its domestic water needs. Increasing population and rapid urbanisation are resulting in waste generation, which is not being properly managed. This situation has potential negative effects on the quality of domestic water, which is mainly from groundwater. Study assesses the hydrogeochemical risks to groundwater and suitability for various uses in Asante Juaben. The study analysed responses from 368 respondents who were purposively selected in the Juaben township. In addition, a total of 37 water samples were collected for the laboratory to determine the physicochemical characteristics, trace metals, cations, anions, and microbial loads. The results from the laboratory analysis indicate that all the cations (Ca, K, Mg) and anions (SO4, PO4, NO3, F, Cl) are within the permissible limit underpinned by the WHO for drinking water. There were, however, trace metals (As, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni, Zn, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, and Pb) and microbial loads (E. Coli, Coliforms, Mixed Coliform, Salmonella) detected in the groundwater samples. Contamination raises concern about the deteriorating quality of groundwater in town, possibly due to urbanisation and ineffective waste management. The contamination of groundwater with hazardous chemicals can pose serious health risks to the population, including the risk of cancer, neurological disorders, and developmental abnormalities. Study recommends that borehole management training should be organised for all borehole users to prevent groundwater contamination and their associated health risks.
Presenters
Juliet GyampohProject Research Assistant, Office of Grants and Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
2026 Special Focus—Unseen Unsustainability: Addressing Hidden Risks to Long-Term Wellbeing for All
KEYWORDS
SDG 6, WATER SANITATION, WASH, INCLUDING POTABLE WATER
