Water Safety In Ghana: Tackling Nitrogen Pollution And Protecting Public Health
Ebenezer Kwame Boateng
Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
Grace Abena Serwaa
Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
Abstract
Access to safe drinking water is essential for public health, yet many rural and agricultural communities in Ghana face growing risks from nitrogen contamination—primarily from agricultural runoff and poor waste management. This study assesses nitrogen concentrations in drinking water sources across selected Ghanaian farming communities, with the goal of evaluating potential health implications for residents. Water samples were collected from boreholes, wells, and surface water sources in areas with varying intensities of agricultural activity. Laboratory analysis focused on key nitrogen compounds, including nitrates and nitrites, comparing concentrations with World Health Organization (WHO) safety thresholds.
Findings indicate that several water sources exceed recommended nitrate levels, particularly in areas with intensive fertilizer use. The presence of elevated nitrogen compounds in drinking water raises concerns about long-term exposure and associated health risks such as methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) and potential links to gastrointestinal and other chronic illnesses. In addition to the laboratory findings, community interviews revealed low awareness of nitrogen-related water contamination and limited access to water treatment options.
The study highlights the urgent need for integrated water quality monitoring, farmer education on sustainable fertilizer practices, and investment in low-cost water treatment solutions. Addressing nitrogen contamination is not only an environmental issue but a public health imperative for safeguarding the well-being of rural populations in Ghana.