Abstract
The quality of rainwater which is the main source of domestic water in Dzodze, a community in the Volta Region of Ghana was unknown. Therefore the possible utilization of contaminated domestic water and occurrence of health hazards could not be underestimated due to prevailing poor hygiene and great lack of standard maintenance and treatment systems in community. In this study, we assessed the quality of rainwater in the Dzodze Community and how it varies along the domestic rainwater harvesting (DRWH) chain from free-fall to storage. Rain samples were collected at three points along the DRWH chain of two DRWH systems: from free-fall, roof-catchment and storage tank and two systems described as poorly-maintained and well-maintained systems. Samples were analyzed for physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters and results compared with WHO and Ghana Standards Board (GSB) guideline values. The harvested rainwater was found to be of good physico-chemical quality but not bacteriological, calling for treatment before utilization. Also, irrespective of the type of DRWH system (poorly-maintained or well-maintained), there was substantial change in rainwater quality upon interaction with roof-catchment with an increase noticed in all parameters.
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