Abstract
The effect of agrochemical use in agricultural activities on the drinking water quality of ground and surface water within Agogo, a prominent tomato growing area in the Ashanti region of Ghana was assessed by monitoring physicochemical parameters, trace metals and microbial quality of two water sources. Levels of contamination were greater in surface water than groundwater. Trace metal levels (mg/L) were 1.40, 0.12, 0.08 and 0.18 in surface water and 0.08, 0.10, 0.05 and 0.08 in groundwater for Fe, Pb, Zn and Cd, respectively. Lead and Cd in surface and groundwater exceeded USEPA maximum acceptable levels (MCLs) for drinking water. Bacterial indicator numbers (geometric means/100 mL) in surface water varied from 9.35 × 105 to 1.57 × 1011 for total coliforms, 4.15 × 104 to 2.10 × 107 for faecal coliforms and 2.80 × 10 to 3.25 × 102 for enterococci, but none was found in groundwater.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adomako D, Nyarko BJB, Dampare SB, Serfor-Armah Y, Osae S, Fianko JR, Akaho EHK (2008) Determination of toxic elements in waters and sediments from River Subin in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Environ Monit Assess 141:165–175
Akoto O, Bruce TN, Darko G (2008) Heavy metals pollution profiles in streams serving the Owabi reservoir. Afr J Environ Sci Technol 2(11):354–359
Akoto O, Bruce TN, Darko G (2010) Chemical and biological characteristics of streams in the Owabi watershed. Environ Monit Assess 161(1–4):413–422
Asante KA, Agusa T, Subramanian A, Ansa-Asare OD, Biney CA, Tanabe S (2007) Contamination status of arsenic and other trace elements in drinking water and residents from Tarkwa, a historic mining township in Ghana. Chemosphere 66:1513–1522
Atafar Z, Mesdaghinia A, Nouri J, Homaee M, Yunesian M, Ahmadimoghaddam M, Mahvi AH (2010) Effect of fertilizer application on soil heavy metal concentration. Environ Monit Assess 160(4–1):83–89
Fianko JR, Osae S, Adomako D, Achel DG (2009) Relationship between land use and groundwater quality in six districts in the eastern region of Ghana. Environ Monit Assess 153:139–146
Hamilton D, Crossley S (2004) Pesticide residues in food and drinking water: human exposure and risks. Wiley, UK
Locas A, Demers J, Payment P (2008) Evaluation of photoreactivation of Escherichia coli and enterococci after UV disinfection of municipal wastewater. Can J Microbiol 54:971–975
Ntow WJ (2001) Organochlorine pesticides in water, sediment, crops and human fluids in a farming community in Ghana. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 40:557–563
Ntow WJ, Gijzen HJ, Kelderman P, Drechsel P (2006) Farmer perceptions and pesticide use practices in vegetable production in Ghana. Pest Manag Sci 62:356–365
Obiri S (2007) Determination of heavy metals in water from boreholes in Dumasi in the Wassa West District of western region of Republic of Ghana. Environ Monit Assess 130:455–463
Obiri-Danso K, Okore-Hanson A, Jones K (2003) The microbiological quality of drinking water sold on the streets in Kumasi, Ghana. Lett Appl Microbiol 37:334–339
Obiri-Danso K, Weobong CAA, Jones K (2005) Aspects of health-related microbiology of the Subin, an urtban river in Kumasi, Ghana. J Water Health 3(1):69–76
Robinson GR Jr, Larkins P, Boughton CJ, Reeds BW, Silbrell PL (2007) Assessment of contamination from arsenical pesticides use on orchards in the Great Valley region, Virginia and West Virginia, USA. J. Environ Quality 36:654–663
USEPA http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html#inorganic Accessed 8 June 2009
WHO (2006) Guidelines for drinking-water quality: Incorporating first and second addenda to third edition. Volume 1 Recommendation – Chapter 8. http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/gdwq3rev/en/ Accessed 8 June 2009
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Obiri-Danso, K., Adonadaga, M.G. & Hogarh, J.N. Effect of Agrochemical Use on the Drinking Water Quality of Agogo, a Tomato Growing Community in Ashanti Akim, Ghana. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 86, 71–77 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-010-0183-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-010-0183-x