Abstract:
The increase in population within the Densu River Basin (DRB) from 450,000 in
1984 to 947,000 in 2000 shows an average yearly growth rate of 3.26%. This
therefore has resulted in the increase of anthropogenic activities which have
caused contamination with regard to the quality of water of the Weija reservoir.
Using a descriptive study design, this study aimed at establishing relationships
that existed between urbanization within the DRB and the quality of raw water
from the Weija Reservoir for a 14-year period (2002-2016). The study used
sixteen (16) water quality parameters, as well as some urbanization parameters
such as population and land Use/Cover changes and finally, views of respondents
from some sampled communities. The study revealed that water from the Weija
Lake has been less influenced by urbanization in the DRB, putting into
consideration water quality parameters such as phosphorus, nitrate, ammonia,
magnesium, calcium, total hardness, fluoride, iron and sulphate. It was also
realised from the study, that the quality of water in connection with parameters
such as turbidity, colour, pH, temperature, suspended solids and total solid had
been influenced extensively by urbanization for the 14-year period. In view of
this, it is recommended that Stakeholders of DRB such as the Densu River
Authority (DRA), the Ghana Water Commission (GWC), the Weija Head Works
(WHW) and the District Assemblies should ensure that sustainability of quality of
water from the Weija reservoir is achieved through clean integration of social,
environmental and economic developments as emphasized in the definition given
by the Bruntland commission.
