Water Quality Impact from the Multipurpose Use of the Golinga Reservoir in Northern Ghana

Golinga reservoir provides water for drinking and domestic and agricultural activities for its surrounding communities. However, competitive demand and multiple-use necessitated a study into the influence of the multipurpose use on the water quality and subsequent health risks. The 6-month research employed observations and water sampling to assess the impact. Empirical orthogonal function, analysis of variance, and variance–covariance were run to interpret the obtained data. The study recorded ranges for pH (6.65–7.11 pH units), turbidity (3.33–80.66 NTU), conductivity (67.73–191.93), nitrate-nitrogen (0.13–6.17 mg/L), PO₄-P (0.01–0.08 mg/L), sulphate (0.05–0.09 mg/L), fluoride (0.12–0.32 mg/L), sodium (4.67–15.46 mg/L), potassium (2.20–3.75 mg/L), faecal coliform (log₁₀ 1.30–log₁₀ 2.56 cfu/100 mL), E. coli (log₁₀ 0.77–log₁₀ 1.23 cfu/100 mL), and Salmonella spp. (log₁₀ 1.51–log₁₀ 1.62 cfu/100 mL). All except turbidity fell within acceptable levels. Pairing the physical and chemical parameters showed a significant relationship (p < 0.05) except for pH and Na⁺, SO₄²⁻, K⁺ and F⁻, Na⁺ and K⁺, and F⁻, and K⁺ and F⁻, and SO₄²⁻ and F⁻ and SO₄²⁻ which revealed no significance (p > 0.05). Pairing the bacteria loads was presented a significant association (p < 0.05) except for faecal coliform and Salmonella spp. which were not significant (p > 0.05). Frequent activities were noted to support the revelation of high faecal contamination. The research suggests community by-laws enforcement curtail cattle movement as well as adequate disinfection methods to render the water suitable for potable use. The presence of pathogenic bacteria was attributed to open defaecation which poses negative health effects such as gastroenteritis, especially when water is orally consumed without prior treatment. Open defaecation was noted and supports the detection of high faecal contamination. The research suggests the promotion of simpler disinfection methods to render the water potable, enforcement of community by-laws, and in-depth environmental quality monitoring.