Umwelt- und analytische Toxikologie

Analysing the State of Water Quality Indicators of the Afram River in Ghana: Implication for Water Resources Management

Abstract

Aninakwah Isaac*, Kofi Adu-Boahena and Ishmael Yaw Dadson

The Afram River has suffered significant degradation and pollution due to the massive amount of domestic wastewater, premix oil and fertiliser runoff from agricultural activities entering the river. At three sites, ten physicochemical and heavy metal parameters were measured along the river. This research aimed to characterise water quality variations in space and time. Water samples were collected and analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) at the University of Ghana and the results were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in tables. The field results were in comparison to Standards thresholds set out by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Findings of the research indicated that the lead, cadmium and manganese levels tested were over the maximum acceptable and desirable range. This indicates an increase in local residential trash, agrochemicals and premix oil entering the Afram River. The studied Arsenic, Copper and other heavy metal levels were less than the maximum permitted levels set by the WHO. The paper contends that the National Community Water and Sanitation Program Policy be vigorously implemented, particularly in the interior of the river's 100-meter zones, to protect them from anthropogenic activities and to organise and champion educational and sensitisation programs in the community to raise public awareness about the consequences of their actions.