Determinants of Household Water Quality in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

Improved water source is essential for the health of both urban and rural dwellers. However, Over 1 billion people globally are without access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that influence water quality in the Tamale metropolis, Ghana. The study was conducted with 250 respondents who were randomly sampled and interviewed. Data was analyzed with STATA 11 software. Chi-square and multivariate regression analysis were used to investigate the relationships between socio-demographic characteristics, water source, and water collection and storage methods and household water quality. Two assays of water quality were used: heterotrophic plate count (HPC) for total coliform and feacal counts and the multiple tube method for Escherichia Coli (E coli). The study results shows that majority of samples tested had feacal coliforms. Water from 83% of studied samples tested positive for the presence of E coli in household water. Source of water, distance to water source, place and duration of water storage influenced household water quality. Households with water source outside homes were less likely to have quality water (OR=0.19; p<0.01). On-the-point household treatment strategies should be adopted to make water safe for household consumption.

Keywords: Household, Quality, Storage, Tamale, Water, Ghana