Bacteriological contamination of groundwater in relation to septic tanks location in Ashanti Region, Ghana

Abstract

Water is an indispensable resource to mankind and life in general. Over the world, issues of water scarcity and quality are becoming pronounced with increasing global population, industrialization and urbanization. Developmental activities of man can lead to the deterioration of surface and groundwater. As a result, groundwater has become an important source of water supply throughout the world. This research is very necessary in these communities because of associated cost with purchasing of land due to nearness to the KNUST. The communities serve as residence for students, lecturers and the business community as well. As a consequence, the small pieces of land acquired for building virtually does not give room for considering the siting of septic tanks and underground water, which is the most common source of water in these communities. In this study, water samples were taken from eight purposively sampled wells/boreholes at Ayeduase, Kotei and Boadi communities where septic tanks are within 0–39 m to the well/borehole. However, a control well without septic tank within the radius of above 39 m was chosen. Samples taken from wells were analysed in the laboratory for Escherichia coli, salmonella, faecal coliforms, non-faecal coliforms and total coliforms. E. coli was found present in 25% wells and 25% boreholes sampled. Salmonella and faecal coliforms were found in 75% the boreholes/well except the control well and BH2. Non-faecal coliforms count was 100% in all boreholes/wells. The study reveals that, water in the study communities contain some levels of contaminants and raises questions about its suitability for drinking and domestic use.

Keywords:

• bacteriological
• contamination
• groundwater
• septic tank
• Salmonella
• E. coli
• coliform

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

The paper examined the levels of microbacterial contamination of groundwater in the study area. It generally looks at the quantum of bacterial coliform levels in groundwater, specifically, in wells/boreholes in the study area. The study then related the levels of the bacterial contaminants to the distance of the groundwater sources from the nearest septic tank. It was realised out of the study that, microbacterial contaminants were present in all the groundwater samples collected in the study area, although in relatively small quantities. These contamination levels were then compared with the World Health Organization guidelines and conclusion were drawn. The study also showed that for non-faecal coliforms and total coliforms count, there was a relationship between distances of wells/boreholes from the septic tanks.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no direct funding for this research.

Notes on contributors

Jeremiah Kasalku Takal

Jeremiah Kasalku Takal is a young researcher and a candidate for MPhil in Environmental Resources Management. He has done an undergraduate degree in Natural Resources Management and has his major research interest in Natural Resources Management and the Environment. He has a special interest in Agroforestry and has done an unpublished work on the Allelopathic Effects of Neem Leaves Extracts on the Germination and Initial Growth of Vigna unguiculata. He is also currently working on a publication on the use of GIS interpolation to predict the pollution potential of groundwater. This current paper seeks among other things to provide relevant information to policymakers in the Ghanaian water sector on the state of groundwater resources and guide future decisions to satisfy the water needs of the people in the study area.