Status of groundwater quality in Ghana

Groundwater quality is generally good throughout Ghana though acidic (pH 3.5 to 6.5) in some parts of the country. This is a reflection of very low level of contamination by human activity. However during the 1980's high concen­trations of nitrate had been reported in some parts of the upper regions. It is believed that the changes in agricultural practices could be the source of high nitrate level. One consequence of this is that, high iron concentrations in excess of 0.30 mg/ I, the WHO recommended guideline for drinking water quality, is not uncommon. Some boreholes have also been abandoned, especially along the coast because of high concentrations of chloride and total dis­solved solids. The high chloride concentration is thought to be due to sea water intrusion into the coastal aquifers. Thus monitoring of aquifers in the country should be seriously undertaken so that changes in groundwater quality as a result of agricultural practices, anthropogenic activities and other developments could be quickly ob­served.