Water Pollution Assessment and Community Perception of Major Rivers in Ghana

Water pollution poses risks to health and livelihoods of communities that depend on river systems. The major rivers in Ghana have experienced significant pollution, but limited studies have examined water quality conditions and community perceptions of pollution sources. This study assessed water quality and community perceptions of major rivers in Ghana. Water samples from 6 major rivers were analysed for physical, chemical, and biological parameters based on APHA Standard Methods for Water Examination (22nd Edition). A survey was conducted on 400 residents using a stratified random sampling technique. ANOVA, Pearson correlation, PCA, and regression were employed to process the data. Analysis revealed arsenic (0.58-0.67 mg/L), lead (0.66-0.95 mg/L), mercury (0.10-0.14 mg/L), and E. coli (up to 1349.75 MPN/100 mL) concentrations. Nitrate increased from 15.12 mg/L upstream to 19.06 mg/L downstream, while E. coli was high midstream (1349.75 MPN/100 mL). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified arsenic, lead and mercury as major contributors to overall water pollution. Age, Education level, and gender influence pollution perceptions (R ² = .654-.69). Mining activities (59%) dominated water pollution compared to industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and domestic sewage. Effective strategies identified included stricter regulations (97.14%), sustainable farming (97.14%), and community campaigns (95.71%). Findings revealed that river pollution contributes significantly to economic, health, and psychological issues. Public awareness and demographic characteristics shape pollution perception, behaviour and policy responses. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, and the Water Resources Commission (WRC) should prioritise stricter regulations, sustainable practices, and community engagement to protect rivers in Ghana.