Wastewater Use in Informal Irrigation in Urban and Periurban Areas of Kumasi, Ghana

This paper presents findings from studies done in the urban and periurban areas of Kumasi, Ghana. Different methods and methodologies were used which included more than 500 interviews mostly with farmers, personal observations, water-quality monitoring and literature reviews. Water from domestic use is the main source of wastewater in Kumasi. Less than 8% of the population has access to sewerage systems connected to treatment plants. Moreover, the existing treatment plants are mostly non-operational. Consequently, most wastewater is discharged into drains and nearby streams, which are used for irrigation despite high levels of faecal coliforms of up to 1010/100 ml. Until now, related health risks for farmers and consumers are only addressed through rudimentary institutional and policy frameworks with relevant by-laws rarely being enforced and still inappropriate in the larger livelihoods context