Articles | Open Access | DOI: https://doi.org/10.37547/tajas/Volume07Issue05-07

Groundwater quality assessment in mining communities in Western and Central Regions of Ghana

Emmanuel Amuah , Department of Public Health Education, University of Education Winneba, Ghana.
Emmanuel Dartey , Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development
Sabastian Samuel Kwesi , Department of Public Health Education, University of Education Winneba, Ghana.

Abstract

The pollution of groundwater sources is a major issue globally, particularly for developing countries where the uncontrolled exploitation of natural mineral resources and human activities could lead to the pollution of water resources. The objective of this study was to examine the quality of groundwater in selected mining communities in the Central and Western regions of Ghana. A total of fifty (50) water samples collected from boreholes and wells in five mining communities; Ayanfuri, Abenabena, Nkonya, Forbinso, and Gyamang were analyzed for trace metals and physicochemical properties. The Water Quality Index (WQI) method was used to classify the various samples. Respondents expressed concerns about the smell and salty taste of groundwater. There was also high arsenic (1.028 mg/l and 1.048 mg/L), iron (0.303 mg/L and 0.304 mg/l), and cadmium (0.189 mg/l and 0.191 mg/l) pollution in the study area which requires urgent attention due to the potential adverse human health effects associated with exposure to high levels of these trace metals. The study revealed high turbidity in some groundwater samples in the study area making them unhealthy for domestic use. In the  j WQI classification, all the groundwater samples apart from Nkonya (Nk-w1, Nk-w2, and Nk-site w) which were considered poor water were classified as good water. There is a need to control the levels of arsenic, iron, cadmium, and turbidity levels in groundwater in the study area, particularly in Nkonya. Community residents should be educated on the effects of groundwater pollution.  

Keywords

Quality, Groundwater, Mining, Ghana, Heavy metal.

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Emmanuel Amuah, Emmanuel Dartey, & Sabastian Samuel Kwesi. (2025). Groundwater quality assessment in mining communities in Western and Central Regions of Ghana. The American Journal of Applied Sciences, 7(05), 66–80. https://doi.org/10.37547/tajas/Volume07Issue05-07