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Presentation Format: Poster
Abstract
Groundwater from mechanized boreholes in Ayigya, a rapidly urbanizing peri-urban community in Kumasi, serves as the primary potable water source but is increasingly affected by urban runoff and inadequate waste disposal. This study presents a comprehensive hydrogeochemical assessment and health‐risk evaluation of fifteen borehole samples. Physicochemical parameters (pH, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity) and concentrations of lead, cadmium, nickel, mercury, and chromium were determined by standard titrimetry, flame photometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and UV–visible spectrophotometry. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, combined with Piper‐diagram classification, identified a prevailing Ca–Mg–Cl–SO₄ facies, with localized transitions to mixed Na–Cl facies indicative of sewage or surface‐runoff influence. Although total dissolved solids (125–598 mg/L) and electrical conductivity (150–932 µS/cm) generally complied with World Health Organization guidelines, all samples exhibited acidic pH values (3.7–6.4). Multivariate analysis highlighted lead, cadmium, and mercury as the main contaminants. Water Quality Index assessments rated 60% of samples as suitable for domestic use, while heavy metal evaluation and pollution indices identified 4 boreholes with elevated metal burdens. United States Environmental Protection Agency‐based risk modeling indicated that children consuming water from these 4 wells are exposed to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks above acceptable thresholds. Persistent acidity and localized metal contamination underscore the need for enhanced water‐quality management. Recommendations include implementation of regular, community‐wide monitoring; upgrading borehole infrastructure with corrosion‐resistant casings and optimized siting; and improvement of waste‐management and sanitation practices to prevent further groundwater degradation.