National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)
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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
This study was conducted to assess the concentrations of microbial pathogens and Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH’s) as an initial step in the health risk reduction and reuse strategies in wastewater irrigation practices. Kumasi where the study was conducted is the second largest city in Ghana having significant number of farmers who engage in unrestricted wastewater irrigation practices. Field and laboratory analysis was carried out within 40 weeks covering both the dry and the wet seasons for almost all the irrigation sites within the city. Samples collected and analyzed included wastewater used for irrigation, Manured soil and Lettuce irrigated with wastewater. Samples analyzed in the laboratory resulted in identification and quantification of microorganisms with E. coli and Total coliforms presenting mean levels exceeding WHO recommendations1x103/100ml and ≤ 1 egg/L for unrestricted irrigation. This study showed significant difference between the concentrations presented within the dry and wet seasons with the P-values far less than 0.05 (< 0.05). With that notwithstanding, E. coli O157:H7 showed no significant difference between the seasons for manured soil (P = 0.107). For the STH’s With the exception of T. trichiura which had it concentrations in both seasons ≤ 1 egg/L which conforms to WHO recommendations, A. lumbricoides and A. duodenale were in excess of 1or 2 eggs. This result therefore calls for strict measures and policies for farmers who engage in unrestricted irrigation practices.
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