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Small-Scale Dams water quality plays a significant role in water-related disease control among human populations in third world nations. The inadequacy of quality drinking water and the poor management practices of dams in developing countries make these reservoirs' water unsuitable for domestic household uses. The study therefore sought to find ou...
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The water samples from Rasina District (Serbia) were evaluated for principal physical and chemical parameters, as well as for microbiological contaminants. Results were compared to National and World Health Organization (WHO) water quality standards. Several samples contained total organic matter, ammonia, residual chlorine, nitrite, nitrate, iron...
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... The region has only one notable resilient surface water source, the Black Volta River, while other major dams such as Siiru, Sankana, Tanina, Busa, Dakyie, Takpo, Baleofili, Goli, Yeleyiri, and Dobile that were supposed to serve irrigation and livelihoods needs are either collapsed or at the verge of collapsing. Moreover, open-defecation practices pollute the region's relatively scarce surface water bodies with feces [12]. Several efforts on projects and programs have been implemented to address water insecurity in the UWR. ...
... The academic community recognizes the link between compromised water quality and various health issues. Exposure to poorly stored water can lead to numerous health problems, ranging from gastrointestinal issues to severe waterborne diseases [12,50]. This consensus underscores the crucial role of water quality in determining health and water security. ...
The global community is not on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) by 2030. Many low- and middle-income countries like Ghana still struggle with water insecurity. In semi-arid regions like Ghana’s Upper West, climate change has worsened water insecurity, leading to health and livelihood consequences. In UWR, limited studies have explored water insecurity in rural areas. This study fills a knowledge gap by investigating the determinants of water insecurity in Ghana’s Upper West Region (UWR) from a political ecology of health (PEH) perspective. It comprehensively explores the interplay of social, economic, political, environmental, and health-related factors contributing to water insecurity in the UWR. The results from binary logistic regression show that households in the wealthier category (OR = 0.475, p<0.05) and those that spent less than thirty minutes on a roundtrip to fetch water (OR = 0.474, p<0.01) were less likely to experience water insecurity. On the other hand, households that did not use rainwater harvesting methods (OR = 2.117, p<0.01), had to travel over a kilometer to access water (OR = 3.249, p<0.01), had inadequate water storage systems (OR = 2.290, p<0.001), did not treat their water (OR = 2.601, p<0.001), were exposed to water-induced infections (OR = 3.473, p<0.001), did not receive any water, hygiene, and sanitation education (OR = 2.575, p<0.01), and faced water scarcity during the dry season (OR = 2.340, p<0.001) were at a higher risk of experiencing water insecurity. To mitigate the risks of water insecurity and adverse health impacts, policymakers and practitioners must work together to educate households on effective water conservation, storage, and treatment techniques. It is recommended that households harvest rainwater as a coping strategy, construct appropriate storage systems, and treat their water. Communal self-help water investments should be encouraged and supported. Given the significant aquifers and semi-arid landscape of the UWR, investing in groundwater development should be a top priority.
... Although urbanization and urban sprawl are threatening backyard farming in most urban areas in Ghana and other regions (Kpienbaareh & Luginaah, 2020;Kpienbaareh & Oduro Appiah, 2019), the practice is still common among the majority of households. Some communities in northern Ghana have small dugouts or water systems which are either the product of government agricultural initiatives or constructed out of the community's need for a source of drinking water, for livestock use or both (Kpieta & Laari, 2014). These dugouts become health hazards if they are not properly managed. ...
Although herbicide adoption is gaining popularity among farmers in the Global South, the reasons for their adoption and perceptions of the impacts of their use may vary. Drawing theoretical insights from political ecology and using photovoice and interviews with (N = 48) backyard farmers in the semi-arid savannah region of Ghana, this article explored the underlying factors shaping herbicide adoption and the perceived health and environmental impacts. The findings reveal a set of complex intersecting drivers of herbicide adoption, including climate variability, labor supply constraints, and high costs of alternative technologies. Important adverse impacts of herbicide use include human health complications, suppressed seed germination, water pollution, and disruption of ecosystem processes. Notably, there were marked gender and locational variations in farmer perceptions which reflect the intersecting political, socio-economic and cultural factors that shape human-environment interaction, including agricultural production decisions. Given the growing need to make smallholder agriculture more sustainable, we recommend a community-based approach that engages government agencies, herbicide retailers and farmers to regulate herbicide use to minimize adverse impacts.
... Pivotal to the sustenance of crop farming here is the Sankana dam which is one of 84 dams within the Upper West Region (Kpieta et al., 2013). The dam typically serves as a primary water source for irrigation and drinking particularly during the dry season (Kpieta et al., 2013;Kpieta and Laari, 2014;Namara et. al., 2011). ...
The vulnerability of the Sankana dam to organochlorine pesticide contamination is a major cause for concern. Indigenes rely on the dam for drinking water and irrigation of their farmlands as well as for fish and other aquatic delicacies. Virtually there exists no study on the residual levels of organochlorine or other pesticide contaminants in the dam despite its susceptibility to pesticide contamination. In the present study, the levels of organochlorine residues in fish and sediments from the Sankana dam were assessed. Pesticide residue extraction was achieved using acetonitrile containing 1% (v/v) acetic acid in the presence of sodium acetate, sodium citrate and magnesium sulphate followed by purification over activated florisil and sodium sulphate. Identification and quantification of residue extracts was done using a gas chromatograph conjugated with mass spectrometer. In all, varying levels of 13 organochlorine residues were detected, 11 of which were found in fish and 12 in sediment. Average mean levels of organochlorine residues found in fish ranged from 0.001 - 0.277 mg/kg. Residual levels of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane, delta-hexachlorocyclohexane, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, endosulfan-A and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane in fish were relatively higher than their respective levels in sediment. Organochlorine residues found in sediment also ranged from 0.001 - 0.091 mg/kg. Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, methoxychlor, heptachlor, gammachlordane and endosulfan-B residual levels in sediment were higher than the corresponding levels in fish. The study provides a baseline for continuous/regular monitoring of organochlorine contaminants in the Sankana dam and other waterbodies upstream and downstream. Where organochlorine residues exceeded their recommended permissible thresholds typically suggests possible recent/continuous use of such pesticides within the catchment area. There is therefore the need for appropriate measures and/or need to strengthen existing policies that bans the importation, sale and use of organochlorine pesticides via strict enforcement.
... Pivotal to the sustenance of crop farming here is the Sankana dam which is one of 84 dams within the Upper West Region (Kpieta et al., 2013). The dam typically serves as a primary water source for irrigation and drinking particularly during the dry season (Kpieta et al., 2013;Kpieta and Laari, 2014;Namara et. al., 2011). ...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The vulnerability of the Sankana dam to organochlorine pesticide contamination is a major cause for concern. Indigenes rely on the dam for drinking water and irrigation of their farmlands as well as for fish and other aquatic delicacies. Virtually there exists no study on the residual levels of organochlorine or other pesticide contaminants in the dam despite its susceptibility to pesticide contamination. In the present study, the levels of organochlorine residues in fish and sediments from the Sankana dam were assessed. METHODS: Pesticide residue extraction was achieved using acetonitrile containing 1% (v/v) acetic acid in the presence of sodium acetate, sodium citrate and magnesium sulphate followed by purification over activated florisil and sodium sulphate. Identification and quantification of residue extracts was done using a gas chromatograph conjugated with mass spectrometer. FINDINGS: In all, varying levels of 13 organochlorine residues were detected, 11 of which were found in fish and 12 in sediment. Average mean levels of organochlorine residues found in fish ranged from 0.001-0.277 mg/kg. Residual levels of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane, delta-hexachlorocyclohexane, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, endosulfan-A and dichlorodi-phenyldichloroethane in fish were relatively higher than their respective levels in sediment. Organochlorine residues found in sediment also ranged from 0.001-0.091 mg/kg. Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, methoxychlor, heptachlor, gamma-chlordane and endosulfan-B residual levels in sediment were higher than the corresponding levels in fish. CONCLUSION: The study provides a baseline for continuous/regular monitoring of organochlorine contaminants in the Sankana dam and other waterbodies upstream and downstream. Where organochlorine residues exceeded their recommended permissible thresholds typically suggests possible recent/continuous use of such pesticides within the catchment area. There is therefore the need for appropriate measures and/or need to strengthen existing policies that bans the importation, sale and use of organochlorine pesticides via strict enforcement.
... A research conducted by Abdul-Razak et al. (2010) found that turbidity, total coliform, faecal coliform and total iron in the basin exceeded the limits set out by the Ghana Water Quality Guidelines 2003 and WHO 2011 water quality standard guideline values for surface water. Ayisi et al. (2014) also reported high turbidity in the basin, whilst Bakobie et al. (2015) and Kpieta and Laari (2014) in similar studies found that surface water in the WVB is contaminated with coliform bacteria. These parameters are indicative of increasing human activities in and around the White Volta Basin. ...
Pollution of freshwater resources is gaining global attention due to increasing freshwater stress and scarcity. This study assessed land use and land cover changes (LULCC) in the Nawuni Catchment of the White Volta Basin and how the change affects water quality in the area. Satellite images from Landsat Thematic Mapper and Landsat 8 Operational land imager of the Nawuni Catchment of the White Volta Basin were acquired and used for this study. These images were analysed to ascertain the influence of land use and land cover changes on water quality parameters such as turbidity, ammonia and total coliform counts for a 10-year period (2007 to 2017). The results of LULCC revealed an increased expanse of grassland/farmland (4.1%), settlement (0.1%), bare land (9.4%) and closed savannah (1.2%), whilst opened savannah (14.7%) and water body (0.1%) recorded a decreasing trend. The study showed an increase in the levels of turbidity and ammonia and a decrease in total coliforms over the study period (2007 to 2017). The study also revealed a positive relationship between LULC categories and water quality parameters, implying that LULCC contribute to the change in water quality in the area. The study therefore recommends frequent water quality monitoring and LULC planning and management to curb pollution of the river basin.
... The variation observed between the abundance of faecal bacteria in the studies reported above may be related to the size and type of hydrosystem, anthropogenic pressures, and climatic seasons. In Ghana water dams', Kpieta and Laari [30] found that faecal pollution was between 10 1 to 65 × 10 1 CFU.100 mL -1 for faecal coliform knowing that bacteria E. coli was included in faecal coliform group. ...
... Water played an important role in all aspect of human endeavour (Kpieta and Laari 2014). Water is life and much attention must be given to the water management agencies such as Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), NGOs and all the stakeholders involve in the delivery and provision of accessible portable water. ...
... The turbidity has been come from the clay and chalk particles on the water stored in Mumcular and Geyik dams, insoluble precipitations which can be with related its karstic origin, and human activity in the region. According to the study conducted by [41] in Ghana, turbidity value in the small scale dams are extremely higher, and the high level of turbidity in the dam water could be owing to the accumulation of particulate matter through runoff from increased precipitation. [42] stated that the raw water samples are usually colored owing to the existing of colloidal substance, aquatic growth, inorganic impurity and decomposition of vegetation. ...
... In Nikki (with a high population Table 3. and resultant sewage), food cropping and cotton farming (around the dam) and vegetable production (up-stream the dam) are characterized by frequent use of NPK fertilizers rather than organic fertilizers. Although phosphates showed a high value during the rainy season, the level did not exceed norms, indicating that waste, manure, effluent, and runoff may be mainly responsible for high nitrite and nitrate levels through nitrogen, thus contributing to eutrophication causing the invasion of the APDs by floating grasses (personal observation; Kpieta and Laari, 2014). ...
... APD infestation by E. coli, spore of Clostridium and E. faecalis almost always indicates recent faecal contamination (Kpieta and Laari, 2014), probably emanating in Nikki from an open dump, runoff from the town, effluent, and manure left by livestock, and in Sakabansi and Fombawi from runoff originating from the villages, bathing, washing, cleaning, and animal manure. For water to be considered as no risk to human health, the faecal coliform and E. coli counts 100 ml ¡1 should be zero (WHO, 2011). ...
Based on a study in three agro-pastoral dams in Nikki, Sakabansi and Fombawi in northern Benin,
this article aims to characterize their physical, chemical and microbiological water quality. The
ecosystem services framework underlies this article. Water of the three dams was sampled in the field
and analysed at the laboratory. Means of variables were compared with standard values (norms) for
drinking water set by both Benin and the World Health Organization. Agro-pastoral dams’ water
quality is problematic because of the significantly high levels of nitrite, nitrate, iron, and chemical
oxygen demand. Water in these dams is unsuitable for both human and livestock consumption because it
is contaminated with harmful bacteria including total Coliform, Escherichia coli, spores of Clostridium,
Enterococcus feacalis, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis and
Campylobacter jejuni. This study concluded that one solution for maintaining agro-pastoral ecosystem
health consisted of watershed management based on monitoring ecosystem services such as water
quality.
Keywords: pollution, Crocodiles, sustainable water resources management
... pH-unit. Similar pH values were reported by Preeti et al. (2009) and Kpieta and Laari (2014) in their assessment of water quality in Kerwa dam for drinking purpose, and small-scale dams water quality and the possible health risk to users of the water in the Upper West Region of Ghana respectively. Although pH has no direct impact on consumers, it is one of the most important operational water quality parameters. ...
... The values recorded were all above the WHO (2008) and Ghana Standard Board stipulated limit of 5 NTU for drinking water. When compared to that of Kpieta and Laari (2014) who studied small-scale dams water quality and the possible health risk to users of the water in the upper west region of Ghana, the presented study turbidity values are extremely higher. This increased in turbidity levels irrespective of the location and/or season, may have detrimental effect on the visual quality of the water. ...
... Generally, the study recorded TDS values were within WHO (2008) and GSB stipulated limits for drinking water. However, the TDS values recorded in this study are bit higher than that of Kpieta and Laari (2014) who studied small-scale dams water quality and the possible health risk to users of the water in the upper west region of Ghana. TDS shows a strong positive correlation with alkalinity, sulphates, calcium, and total hardness at 1% significance level and 5% significance level with magnesium and potassium implying that they have common source of contaminants or interact effectively in the dam water. ...
The study was to assess the quality of dam water in three communities in the Savelugu-Nanton Municipality. Samples were collected three times (in duplicates) from each dam making a total of thirty six (36) samples at two weeks interval in January, 2014. The samples were conveyed to Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute Laboratory in Tamale for the analysis using standard methods. The study revealed the physico-chemical characteristics of the dam water samples were within World Health Organisation and Ghana Standard Board permissible limits for drinking water except turbidity. Turbidity values obtained ranged from 7 to 46 NTU with a general mean value of 18.06±12.05 NTU. Total coliform count ranged from 2.4 x101 to 1.941 x 103 cfu/100 ml with general mean valueof 1,088±842.7 cfu/100 ml. Coliform bacteria count of the dam water exceeded the WHO permissible limits for drinking water. Hence, the coliforms contamination implies that the dam water when consume can lead to disease burden. It is therefore recommended that the dam water should be treated against coliform bacteria before using it for drinking purpose.
