Assessment of Bacteriological Quality of Tono and Vea Dams Water in the Upper East Region, Ghana

Aim of the Study: This study was undertaken to assess the bacteriological quality of water from the Tono and Vea dams.
Study Design: Water samples from both Tono and Vea irrigation dams in the Upper East Region of Ghana were collected and analyzed to assess their bacteriological quality. A total of 64 water samples were collected from the dams.
Place and Duration: Vea and Tono dams in Navrongo and Bolgatanga were studied from March to April, 2011.
Methodology: Multiple Tube Fermentation (MTF) technique was used for the determination of total coliform and fecal coliform. Total heterotrophic bacteria counts and Salmonella counts were determined using standard plate count methods.
Results: Mean Most Probable Number obtained for total coliform counts of the water samples from Tono ranged from 150 to 1600 mpn/100 ml while Vea samples ranged from 150 to >1600 mpn/100 ml. Mean faecal coliform counts of Tono water ranged from 79 to 920 mpn/100 ml while Vea water ranged from 70 to 920 mpn /100 ml. The mean total heterotrophic bacteria counts of Tono water ranged from 12 to >300 x 108cfu/ml while Vea water ranged from 11 to >300 x 108 cfu/ ml. Mean Salmonella counts of both Tono water and Vea water ranged from 2 to 10 x 104 cfu/ ml.

Conclusion: The contamination highlights more severe environmental problem in the study areas through faecal contamination. The environmental issues have jeopardized or compromised the quality of the dam water making the water unsuitable for drinking purpose without appropriate techniques for water purification before consumption. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that there should be regular surveillance of water sources for bacteriological quality and efforts to control the bacteriological contamination in order to meet millennium development goal 7.