Assessment of Rainwater Quality in Ayanfuri, Ghana

Abstract

Aims: The present study assessed the quality of rainwater in Ayanfuri in the Upper Denkyira West District, Central Region of Ghana. Study Design: Triplicate samples were collected from three sampling points. Place and Duration of Study: Triplicate rainwater samples were collected within the two months (February and March, 2014) in Township. Methodology: Physico-chemical and trace metal analyses of the samples were carried out at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Water Research Institute Laboratory, Tamale using standard methods.  Results: The physico-chemical values recorded were within World Health Organization limits for potability except pH and turbidity. The mean concentrations of the trace metals that include total iron (0.51 mg/l), lead (0.28 mg/l) and cadmium (0.12 mg/l) in the rainwater samples exceeded WHO permissible limits for potability except manganese (0.28 mg/l). Conclusion: The study shows that rainwater may not be suitable for drinking and other domestic purposes unless it is treated. The compromised rainwater quality could be influenced by anthropogenic activities such as mining that has increased the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere. The quality of rainwater can be improved if monitoring authorities step-up their activities.