Assessment of the water quality of boreholes in the Aburi municipality of eastern region of Ghana

Abstract

Ground water samples from 32 boreholes in 17 communities within Aburi and its environs were sampled and analysed within the period of October 2008 to January 2009 for various physicochemical water quality  parameters. The study showed that most of the physico-chemical  parameters were within the World Health Organization limits recommended for drinking water. All the water samples were found to be colourless, with turbidity of 0.00 NTU. Temperature ranged from 24.0 to 28.0 ^oC, with an average of 26.21 ± 1.57 ^oC. The pH values ranged from 6.38 to 7.28
with an average of 6.38 ± 0.21. The TDS of the water samples ranged from 13 to 522 mg/L with an average of 85.19 ± 53.85. Alkalinity levels were low ranging from 10 to 260.34 mg/L with a mean of 51.16 ± 37.51 mg/L  whereas conductivity recorded values ranging from 18.98 to 240 ìS/cm and an average of 82.15 ± 43.10 ìµ/cm. The total hardness had a range of 25 to 301 mg/L with an average of 95.46 ± 59.01 mg/L. Most of the boreholes showed low level of mineralization. Low levels of nitrates ranging from 0.11 to 1.00 mg/L with an average of 0.665 ± 0.24 mg/L were recorded. Low levels of sulphate ranging from 35.35 to 200.48 mg/L with a mean of 93.75 ± 49.98 mg/L were obtained. Phosphate ion concentration ranging from 0.5 to 5.8 mg/L with an average of 2.64 ± 1.423 mg/L and chloride ion concentration ranging from 21.27 to 131.17 mg/L with a mean of 66.02 ± 30.28 mg/L were also obtained. All the water was found to be  “salinityfree.” The study showed that the borehole water in the municipality is potable.

Keywords: groundwater, borehole, physico-chemical, environs