SMALL-SCALE DAMS WATER QUALITY AND THE POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK TO USERS OF THE WATER IN THE UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Small-Scale Dams water quality plays a significant role in waterrelated disease control among human populations in third world nations. The inadequacy of quality drinking water and the poor management practices of dams in developing countries make these reservoirs’ water unsuitable for domestic household uses. The study therefore sought to find out the smallscale dams water quality; and also to find out the extent of health-risk users of these reservoirs water are exposed to in dam communities of the Upper West Region of Ghana Water samples were drawn at different intervals and chemically analysed in the Water Laboratory of Ghana Water Company Limited, Bolgatanga, to find out their suitability for human consumption. The research finding reveals a high level of pollution of the reservoirs. There is a high level of faecal pollution ranging between 10 and 65MPN Index of World Health Organization (WHO) and Ghana Standard Board (GSB). The turbidity levels of almost all the reservoirs are also far above the WHO and GSB Ghana Standard Board (GSB) stipulated drinking water levels. Also, the nitrate and nitrite levels in some of the reservoirs are higher than the WHO and GSB given levels of dam water. The paper concludes that the residents of these dams communities have just become victims of water related diseases due to poor location decision. It is therefore necessary to reconsider the design and construction of small-scale dams to include in the design mechanized hand-dug-wells and boreholes as a component for the drinking water needs of residents in dam communities to forestall health risk.