The existing linkages of household water quality and sanitation systems at Denu in Ketu South Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the household water quality & sanitation systems. The data gathered (questionnaire and laboratory analysis) were analyzed using Microsoft excel. The study revealed that the main water sources of the respondents was hand-dug/open well representing 91% and the least water sources was borehole/well with hand pump of 9%. The location of the main sources of water; 88% were within the compound, 9% were outside the compound/yard and 3%. For the reasons for the location of the main sources of water; 66% just decide to site anywhere while 34% were constructed by contractors. Majority of the respondents use pit latrine of 20(39%), KVIP/VIP of 16(31%), Flush/WC toilet with septic tank of 13(26%) and Flush/WC toilet with biofilm/digester of 2(4%). For the setting of the toilet facility; 38(76%) just decided to site anywhere, 8(16%) were site by Environmental officer and 4(8%) were site by contractor. For the location of the liquid effluent, 82% were buried underground and 18% were discharged on the land surface. The values of pH ranged from 4.893 to 5.647. Site E recorded the highest value of 5.647 and Site A recorded the lowest of 4.893. Turbidity values ranged from 1.56 to 9.85. Again, Site C recorded the highest of 9.85 and Site D recoded the lower of 1.56. EC ranged from 151.10 μS/cm to 358.37 μS/cm. The highest value was recorded by Site B of 358.37 μS/cm and the lowest by Site D of 151.10 μS/cm. TDS ranged from 79.78 to 184.24. The highest value was recorded by Site B of 184.24 and the lowest by Site D of 79.78. Nitrate ranged from 0.1544 to 0.3667. The highest value was recorded by Site B of 0.3667and the lowest by Site E of 0.1544. Phosphorus ranged from 0.0100 to 0.04063. The water and sanitation programme of the Municipal Assembly should enforce by-laws on the minimum lateral distance of 20 m between a latrine and well water.