EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY FOR DRINKING AND IRRIGATION IN THE VICINITIES OF VOLTA LAKE AND AKOSOMBO DAM, GHANA
Abstract
Groundwater quality is essential for drinking and irrigation, particularly in regions where surface water is limited or heavily utilized. This study aimed to assess the groundwater quality for both drinking and irrigation purposes in the vicinities of Volta Lake and the Akosombo Dam in Ghana. A multi-methodological approach was used, combining field sampling, laboratory analyses, and various water quality indices. Groundwater samples were collected from 30 wells around the study area, and key water quality parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), heavy metals, and major ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻), were analyzed. The results were interpreted using water quality indices for drinking and irrigation purposes, including the Water Quality Index (WQI) and the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR). The findings indicated that groundwater quality in the study area varied, with some wells showing contamination by heavy metals and salinity, suggesting limitations for both drinking and irrigation use. This study highlights the importance of integrated groundwater quality monitoring for sustainable water resource management in this region.
Keywords
Groundwater quality, Volta Lake, Akosombo DamHow to Cite
References
Boadi, N. O., & Opoku, F. (2020). Groundwater contamination in urban areas of Ghana: A case study of the Volta region. Journal of Water Resources and Protection, 12(8), 1084-1099. https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2020.128060
Nkrumah, F., & Osei-Bonsu, K. (2018). Water quality indices and suitability for drinking and irrigation: A case study in the Akosombo Dam area. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(20), 20432-20444. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2327-7
Sarpong, S. K., & Afriyie, A. (2017). Impact of agriculture on groundwater quality in the Volta Basin, Ghana. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 189(6), 321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-5984-4
Tuffour, I., & Annoh, P. (2019). Assessment of groundwater quality in the Volta Basin: Health implications for local communities. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 16(3), 725-736. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-019-02276-9
UNESCO. (2021). Groundwater Quality and Management: A Global Overview. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000375695
Asante, K. O., & Atta-Peters, D. (2016). Groundwater contamination from industrial activities in urban Ghana: A case study of the Accra metropolis. Science of the Total Environment, 568, 859-869. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.056
Akoto, O., & Frimpong, A. A. (2015). Heavy metals in groundwater and their impact on public health in urban areas of Ghana. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 9(12), 1065-1074. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJEST2015.2013
United Nations. (2018). The role of groundwater in water scarcity and pollution management. United Nations Water. https://www.unwater.org/publications/groundwater-water-scarcity
Amponsah, S. K., & Mensah, F. (2017). Evaluating water quality for irrigation in Ghana: A case study from the Volta region. Water International, 42(3), 380-391. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508060.2017.1328629
WHO. (2011). Guidelines for drinking-water quality: Fourth edition, incorporating the first addendum. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549950
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Kwame Adu-Boaten
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Individual articles are published Open Access under the Creative Commons Licence: CC-BY 4.0.
