Amponsah Bernice, Boadi Nathaniel Owusu, Saah Selina Ama, Sakyi Patrick Opare, Agorku Eric Selorm, Okyere Harry, Nyamful Andrew
Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana.
Heliyon. 2024 Jun 8;10(12):e32757. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32757. eCollection 2024 Jun 30.
Groundwater is vital for drinking, agriculture, and domestic use in Sokoban Wood Village, Ghana, but concerns exist about its quality. This study assessed the suitability of 20 groundwater samples for domestic purposes. The study was carried out in 2023. We collected samples from boreholes and hand-dug wells using standard methods, analyzing them for various physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, nitrates, fluorides, and heavy metals). The microbiological analysis assessed fecal coliforms and to identify microbial contamination. Established methodologies were used to evaluate potential health risks (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) associated with heavy metals. The Water Quality Index (WQI), Hazard Potential Index (HPI), and Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI) provided a comprehensive water quality evaluation. The results revealed that the water fell below the recommended WHO pH range for drinking water. While most other parameters and heavy metals fell within WHO guidelines, 25 % of the samples contained fecal coliforms and , indicating ongoing microbial contamination. The overall cancer risk was low for all age groups. Although some parameters met WHO standards, the WQI classified 20 % of the samples as not of good quality. Despite this, the HPI and HEI (-4.62 and 0.001) suggested generally good water quality based on heavy metal content. In conclusion, despite some positive indicators, acidic water and microbial contamination raise concerns. Regular monitoring and potential treatment measures are crucial to ensure safe drinking water for the Sokoban Wood Village community.
地下水对加纳索科班木村的饮用、农业和家庭用水至关重要，但人们对其水质存在担忧。本研究评估了20个地下水样本用于家庭用途的适用性。该研究于2023年开展。我们使用标准方法从钻孔和手挖井中采集样本，分析其各种理化参数（pH值、电导率、浊度、硝酸盐、氟化物和重金属）。微生物分析评估了粪大肠菌群并识别微生物污染情况。采用既定方法评估与重金属相关的潜在健康风险（致癌和非致癌风险）。水质指数（WQI）、危害潜力指数（HPI）和重金属评估指数（HEI）提供了全面的水质评价。结果显示，该水的pH值低于世界卫生组织推荐的饮用水pH值范围。虽然大多数其他参数和重金属符合世界卫生组织的指导标准，但25%的样本含有粪大肠菌群，表明存在持续的微生物污染。所有年龄组的总体癌症风险较低。尽管一些参数符合世界卫生组织标准，但水质指数将20%的样本归类为水质不佳。尽管如此，危害潜力指数和重金属评估指数（分别为-4.62和0.001）表明，基于重金属含量，水质总体良好。总之，尽管有一些积极指标，但酸性水和微生物污染令人担忧。定期监测和潜在的处理措施对于确保索科班木村社区的安全饮用水至关重要。
