HOUSEHOLD POTABLE WATER SUPPLY AND ITS HEALTH IMPLICATIONS IN WA TOWNSHIP, UPPER-WEST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Inappropriate handling and storage of household water triggers contamination. The rational of this study was to identify the significant sources of household water contamination and their associated health implications. The study was conducted by administering questionnaires on 241 households who were randomly sampled after the study area was stratified into low, middle and high income residential areas. A total of 180 water samples were taken to the laboratory for quality tests. Certain elements in the domestic environment and household behaviours, such as the use of contaminated collection and storage vessels as well as the introduction of contaminated hands and scooping vessels into, water were identified as probable sources of water quality deterioration. Whereas the physico-chemical parameters slightly altered, the microbiological quality of household water showed a high level of deterioration at the point of use. Water related diseases such diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis were recorded in the study area. However, there were no empirical tests to link these ailments to the consumption of unwholesome water. It is recommended that government agencies and NGOs collaborate to increase efforts to educate households about apt water handling and storage practices to decrease the incidence of bacteriological contamination of drinking water. In addition, the Ghana Water Company Limited should be adequately resourced in order to efficiently and effectively operate to improve its production capacity and service delivery. Also collaborate with other government agencies and NGOs to device cheaper but cost-effective means of connecting households onto the GWCL grid.