KNUST Research Week and Scientific Conference: Empowering Researchers to Achieve Impactful Outcomes

Abstract
Asante Juaben, the capital of the Asante Juaben Municipality, is rapidly growing in population
and urbanisation. The community relies on a mechanised small-town water system, hand-dug
wells and boreholes for its domestic water needs. Increasing population and rapid urbanisation
are resulting in increasing waste generation, which is not being properly managed. This
situation has potential negative effects on the quality of domestic water, which is mainly from
groundwater. This study assesses the hydrogeochemical risks to groundwater and the suitability
for various uses in Asante Juaben. The study analysed responses from 368 respondents who
were purposively selected in the Juaben township. In addition, a total of 37 water samples were
taken for laboratory analysis to determine the physicochemical characteristics, trace metals,
cations and anions, and microbial loads. The study found that pH, Salinity, Total Dissolved
Solids, and Electrical Conductivity of the groundwater were all within acceptable limits of the
World Health Organisation (WHO). The results from the laboratory analysis indicate that all
the cations (Ca, K, Mg) and anions (SO4, PO4, NO3, F, Cl) are within the permissible limit
underpinned by the WHO for drinking water. There were, however, trace metals (As, Co, Cu,
Hg, Ni, Zn, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, and Pb) and microbial loads (E. Coli, Coliforms, Mixed Coliform,
Salmonella) detected in the groundwater samples. This contamination raises concern about the
deteriorating quality of groundwater in Asante Juaben, possibly due to urbanisation and
ineffective waste management. The contamination of groundwater with hazardous chemicals
can pose serious health risks to the population, including the risk of cancer, neurological
disorders, and developmental abnormalities. The study recommendsthat borehole management
training should be organised for all borehole users to prevent groundwater contamination and
their associated health risks.
Keywords: SDG 6; Water and Sanitation; WASH; potable water; water quality