Borehole Drying: A Review of the Situation in the Voltaian Hydrogeological System in Ghana

Abstract

Groundwater development for potable water supply for rural people in Africa especially in Ghana has increased significantly over the past decades. The area underlain by the Paleozoic sedimentary formation (Voltaian System) of the country in particular, has experienced this tremendous change. Groundwater in the study area is normally exploited through boreholes fitted mostly with hand pumps. Though the boreholes exhibit variable yields, most of them have yields greater than 13.5 l/min. Research carried out in the area suggests that there is modern and enough recharge, yet borehole drying is a problem especially those with low or marginal yields. A thorough review of the groundwater exploitation in the area, aimed at explaining the circumstances that might lead to these phenomena on the field, has been conducted. The review shows that boreholes with drill yields of usually <20 l/min, especially those drilled in the wet season, constitute the highest percentage of the dried boreholes. Other construction material such as the filter media may also influence the drying process.

Seasonal Shifts in Primary Water Source Type: A Comparison of Largely Pastoral Communities in Uganda and Tanzania

“…Changes in water sources may vary due to a number of reasons including seasonal variations in rainfall and water availability, maintenance and governance issues which affect accessibility of water, or the eco-social processes which may influence access [ 2 ]. Evidence has now emerged that many theoretically year-round water sources are, in reality, often unavailable due to maintenance issues [ 3 ] or water inadequacy [ 4 ]. For example, among 100 households in Uganda, 30% reported using a year-round water source (e.g., borehole) but were unable to obtain water at least once in the past two weeks [ 5 ].…”

Efficacy of Geophysical Techniques for Groundwater Exploration in the Volta Basin, Northern Region of Ghana

“…The inhabitants of the Northern Region of Ghana are mostly subsistence and peasant farmers, who grow crops such as maize, yam, peanuts and millet. Drainage in the area is enhanced by the Black and White Volta and the Oti Rivers (Akudago et al, 2009).…”

Borehole Rehabilitation: A Case Study in the Dunkwa Mining Town

“…The location and occurrence of surface water makes them very susceptible to pollution. Supplying water from surface water sources especially for domestic purposes require treatment which could be very expensive especially in small settlement communities or towns (Akudago et al, 2009). Groundwater continues to serve as a reliable source of water supply to most rural communities in Ghana (Anornu et al, 2009).…”

“…The ease of tapping the resource at very close point of need gives it an added advantage over surface water resources. These merits have caused people to rely heavily on groundwater for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes (Akudago et al, 2009) and as such potable water supplies in rural areas are obtained almost entirely from groundwater sources. Groundwater is normally tapped by drilling water wells.…”