Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Agona East District, Ghana

Groundwater also remains an important source of domestic water for rural areas in Agona East District, despite its quality being constantly endangered by natural and human-induced conditions. In this study, the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals present in hand-dug wells in eight rural communities in the Agona East District in Ghana were assessed. Water samples were collected and analysed for tests that included pH, turbidity, colour, total dissolved solids (TDS), and levels of Fe, Pb, and As, and these were compared with standards outlined by the World Health Organisation for clean drinking water. Results indicated that most physicochemical parameters were within World Health Organisation (WHO) permissible limits. However, Fe concentrations in Asamoakwaa and Tawora exceed acceptable levels, likely due to geological sources such as Fe-rich parent bedrock. Trace levels of Pb were detected in Sakwa-kwa and Kokwaado. While the overall groundwater quality in the district is suitable for domestic use (Water Quality Index (WQI) = 38.99), site-specific contamination by heavy metals calls for targeted mitigation measures. The Hazard Index (HI) value was less than 1, indicating that the groundwater is likely not to pose a noncarcinogenic effect on consumers. Also, adults and children who depend on groundwater in Agona East district are not likely to suffer carcinogenic effects since the Carcinogenic Risk Index (CRI) for these groups was below their threshold value (1 × 10−4). It is recommended that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officers in Agona East district should frequently monitor the activities of people in the area to protect the groundwater resource.