Assessment of dam water quality in three selected communities in Savelugu-Nanton municipality, Ghana

Abstract

The study was to assess the quality of dam water in three communities in the Savelugu-Nanton Municipality. Samples were collected three times (in duplicates) from each dam making a total of thirty six (36) samples at two weeks interval in January, 2014. The samples were conveyed to Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute Laboratory in Tamale for the analysis using standard methods. The study revealed the physico-chemical characteristics of the dam water samples were within World Health Organisation and Ghana Standard Board permissible limits for drinking water except turbidity. Turbidity values obtained ranged from 7 to 46 NTU with a general mean value of 18.06±12.05 NTU. Total coliform count ranged from 2.4 x101 to 1.941 x 103 cfu/100 ml with general mean valueof 1,088±842.7 cfu/100 ml. Coliform bacteria count of the dam water exceeded the WHO permissible limits for drinking water. Hence, the coliforms contamination implies that the dam water when consume can lead to disease burden. It is therefore recommended that the dam water should be treated against coliform bacteria before using it for drinking purpose.

Keywords: Coliform bacteria, dam, turbidity, water quality, Ghana