Producers of mineral water are threat to groundwater

Accra, Nov. 6 GNA- Dr Philip K. Darko, a Research Scientist of the Water Research Institute (WRI) on Thursday said activities of some producers of mineral water within Medie and Dobro in the Ga District could pose a serious threat to the groundwater source of the Densu basin.

He said over exploitation of the groundwater source by these producers could affect the water table level that takes its source from the Akwapim and Togo ranges.

Dr. Darko said this when speaking on the topic: "Groundwater assessment: An element of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)- the case of Densu basin" at a seminar in Accra.

The seminar, organized by the Water Resources Commission (WRC), was to provide adequate information and data on groundwater resources of the Densu and Ankobra river basins.

He said although the assessment indicated that groundwater potential was generally low in the Densu basin, there were considerable reserves available for continuous water supply.

Dr Darko said it was important that in future schemes on groundwater were based on proper and detailed hydro-geological assessment methods in the citing of boreholes.

He said concerted efforts were needed to identify probable sites where groundwater could be exploited in larger quantities for commercial purposes.

Dr Darko said proper supervision and quality control were indispensable elements during planning and implementation of groundwater schemes.

Mr. Benony K. Kortatsi, Head of Groundwater Division of the WRI who spoke on "Groundwater acidification and its implication for rural water supply in the Ankobra basin", said hydro-geo-chemical survey was undertaken to determine the quality of groundwater in the Ankobra Basin.

He said the data obtained was used to assess the level of groundwater acidification and its implication for rural water supply in the Ankobra basin.

Mr. Kortatsi said the survey showed that only seven per cent of borehole water in the Ankobra river basin was not acidic. He said some trace metals such as Mercury, Arsenic and Aluminium from boreholes within the Ankobra basin had the potential of causing kidney damage, renal injury and central nervous disorders.