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Physicochemical and Microbial Assessment of Borehole Water on the Campus of KNUST and its Satellite Towns of Ayeduase and Kotei.

Abstract

In developing countries boreholes are economically viable option for water production and supplies for domestic and general use. Ground waters are generally considered as „safe sources‟ of drinking water because they are produced with low microbial load with little need for treatment of the water before drinking. A physicochemical and microbial analysis of drinking water from six (6) different boreholes on the campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and two of its satellite communities; Ayeduase and Kotei was undertaken. The principal aims were to ascertain the wholesomeness of the water by assessing the level of microbes as well as the faecal matters and total coliform and to determine and compare the levels of major elements in the water with international standards. All the water samples passed the physical and chemical tests conducted, except for the pH test which most of the samples failed. The levels of trace metals determined were all below the WHO guideline levels. Only Unity Hall Borehole, UHB and Ayeduase Borehole 1, AB1 failed the microbial test using Mannitol Salt Agar and Bismuth Sulphite Agar respectively. With the exception of the control, all the water samples failed the total and true coliform test.

physicochemical, microbial, Borehole water

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