Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Groundwater and Health: Meeting Unmet Needs in Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Sustaining Groundwater Resources

Part of the book series: International Year of Planet Earth ((IYPE))

Abstract

Groundwater plays a vital role in both human life and ecosystem. All over the world, industrial development, agriculture and human existence and health depend on the availability of good quality water in sufficient quantity. In Africa groundwater is a critical resource: Nearly 80% of the continent’s population uses groundwater as its main source of drinking water – but in many parts of the region reaching basic water requirements for health is still of concern. This is reflected by the high Human Poverty Index, which is a function of access to adequate and potable water. There is considerable progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa with regard to meeting basic water and sanitation needs; thus, the effects on human health face a downward trend. However, records of health cases relating to consumption of groundwater in some part of Africa calls for increased attention if the MDGs are to be achieved. In this chapter, cases of groundwater quality, particularly drinking water supply, have been reviewed in relation to human health. Case histories are taken mainly from West–Central Africa and East Africa to illustrate the fact that there are unmet needs in health traceable to groundwater quality and inadequacies in water supply.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adelana SMA (2004) Water pollution by nitrate in a weathered/fractured basement rock aquifer: the case of Offa area, Nigeria. In: Xi R, Gu W, Seiler KP (eds) Research basin and hydrological planning. Balkema, London, pp 93–98

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Adelana SMA (2005) Nitrate health effects. In: Lehr JH, Keeley J (eds) Water encyclopedia: municipal and industrial water supply, vol 4. Wiley, New York, NY, pp 1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Adelana SMA (2006) Nitrate pollution of groundwater in Nigeria. In: Xu Y, Usher B (eds) Groundwater pollution in Africa. Taylor & Francis, London, pp 37–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Adelana SMA, Olasehinde PI (2003) High nitrate in water supply in Nigeria: implications for human health. Water Resour 14(1):1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Ako AA, Nkeng GE, Itie TM, Manga VE, Takem Eneke GE (2008) Groundwater iron contamination and impact on human well-being in rural coastal communities of Ndian Division, Cameroon. In: Proceedings of the 36th IAH congress, Toyama, Japan

    Google Scholar 

  • Akpata ES (2004) Fluoride ingestion from drinking water by Nigerian children aged below 10 years. Community Dent Health 21(1):25–31

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Akpata ES, Danfillo IS, Otoh EC, Mafeni JO (2009) Geographical mapping of fluoride levels in drinking water sources in Nigeria. Afr Health Sci 9(4):227–233

    Google Scholar 

  • Aremu DA, Olawuyi JF, Meshitsuka S, Sridhar MK, Oluwande PA (2002) Heavy metal analysis of groundwater from Warri, Nigeria. Int J Environ Health Res 12:261–267

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Asaah VA, Abimbola AF, Suh CE (2006) Heavy metal concentrations and distribution in surface soils of the Bassa industrial zone 1, Douala, Cameroon. Arabian J Sci Eng 31(2A):147–158

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Braune E, Hollingworth B, Xu Y, Nel M, Mahed G, Solomon H (2008) Protocol for the assessment of the status of sustainable utilization and management of groundwater resources – with special reference to Southern Africa. WRC Report No. TT 318/08, Water Research Commission, Pretoria, South Africa

    Google Scholar 

  • Braune E, Xu Y (2008) Groundwater management issues in Southern Africa – an IWRM perspective. Water SA 34(6):699–706 (IWRM Special Edition)

    Google Scholar 

  • British Geological Survey (BGS) (1999) Groundwater quality: Ghana. Information sheet prepared on Ghana for wateraid works. Summary Report

    Google Scholar 

  • Colvin C (1999) Increased risk of methemoglobinemia as a result of bottle-feeding by HIV positive mothers in South Africa. Paper presented at IAH Congress, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Google Scholar 

  • DFD (2008) Fluoride mapping poster: fluoride problems in Ethiopian drinking water. Research Inspired Policy and Practice Learning in Ethiopia and the Nile Region (RIPPLE), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Eseme E, Abanda PA, Agyingi CM, Foba-Tendo J, Hannigan R (2006) Composition and applied sedimentology of salt from brines of Mamfe basin, Cameroon. J Geochem Exploration 91:41–55

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fantong WY (1999) Major chemical characteristics of groundwater in Ekondo Titi and environs, Rio Del Rey coastal Basin, Cameroon. MSc thesis, Department of Environmental Science and Geology, University of Buea, Cameroon, 102 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Fantong WY, Ayonghe SN (2001) Major chemical characteristics of groundwater around the Lobe hot spring, North western flank of Mt Cameroon. Proc. & Abstract volume of papers presented at the Joint Conference of Hydrogeological Group of the Geological Society of Africa and the 9th International Geological Conference, Geological Society of Africa, vol 1, pp 49

    Google Scholar 

  • Fantong WY, Hiroshi S, Ayonghe SN, Suh CE, Adelana SMA, Fantong Emilia BS, Banseka HS, Zhang. J, Gwanfogbe CD, Woincham L, Yoshitoshi U (2010) Geochemical provenance and distribution of fluoride in groundwater of Mayo Tsanaga River Basin, Cameroon: implications for fluorosis and maximum consumption dose. Environ Geochem Health 32:147–163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fantong WY, Satake H, Ayonghe SN, Aka FT, Asai K (2009) Hydrogeochemical controls and usability of groundwater in the semi-arid Mayo Tsanaga River Basin: far north province, Cameroon. J Environ Earth Sci 58:1281–1293

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fawell JK, Bailey. K, Chilton J, Dahi E, Magara Y (2006) Fluoride in drinking-water. World Health Organization, Geneva, 134p

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster SSD, Chilton PJ, Moench M, Cardy WF, Schiffler M (2000) Groundwater in rural development: facing the challenges of supply and resource sustainability. WB Technical Paper No. 463, Washington, DC, 120 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster S, Tuinhof A, Garduño H (2008) Groundwater in Sub-Saharan Africa – a strategic overview of developmental issues. In: Adelana SMA, MacDonald AM (eds) Applied groundwater studies in Africa. Taylor & Francis, London, pp 9–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Gyau-Boake P, Kankam-Yeboah K, Darko PK, Dapaah-Siakwan S, Duah AA (2008) Groundwater as a vital resource for rural development: example from Ghana. In: Adelana SMA, MacDonald AM (eds) Applied groundwater studies in Africa. CRC Press/Balkema, London, pp 149–169

    Google Scholar 

  • IGRAC (2009) IGRAC hydrogeological information dedicated to a world-wide presence of arsenic and fluoride in groundwater. Special projects published online: http://www.igrac.net/publications/411

  • Kloos H, Haimanot RT (1999) Distribution of fluoride and fluorosis in Ethiopia and prospects for control. Trop Med Int Health 4:355–364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kortatsi BK, Tay CK, Anornu G, Hayford E, Dartey GA (2007) Hydrogeochemical evaluation of groundwater in the lower Offin basin, Ghana. Env. Geol. Vol. 53, No. 8, 1651–1662

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuitcha D, Kamgang Kabeyene BV, Sigha Nkamdjou L, Lienou G, Ekodeck GE (2008) Water supply, sanitation and health risks in Yaounde, Cameroon. Afr J Environ Sci Technol 2(11):379–386

    Google Scholar 

  • Mafany GT, Fantong WY, Nkeng GE (2006) Groundwater quality in Cameroon and its vulnerability to pollution. In: Xu Y, Usher B (eds) Groundwater pollution in Africa. Taylor & Francis, London, pp 47–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Ndjama J, Kamgang KBV, Sigha NL, Ekodeck G, Tita MA (2008) Water supply, sanitation, and health risk in Douala, Cameroon. Afr J Environ Sci Technol 2(12):422–429

    Google Scholar 

  • Ngounou-Ngatcha B, Murdry J, Wakponou A, Ekodeck GE, Njitchoua R, Sarrot-Reynauld J (2001) The Limani-Yagoua mega sand-ridge, northern Cameroon, and its hydrological importance. J Afr Earth Sci 32(4):889–898

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shah TD, Molden R, Sakthivadivel D, Seckler D (2000) The global groundwater situation: overview of opportunities and challenges. IWMI, International Water Management Institute, Colombo

    Google Scholar 

  • Smedley PL, Edmunds WM, West JM, Gardner SJ, Pelig-Ba KB (1995) Health problems related to groundwaters in the Obuasi and Bolgatanga areas, Ghana. British Geological Survey Technical Report, WC/95/43, 122 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamene G (2006) Fluoride contamination and treatment in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Paper presented at the WWF 4-Mexico, 18 Mar 2006

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanyileke GZ, Kusakabe M, Evans WC (1996) Chemical and isotopic characteristics of fluids along the Cameroon volcanic line, Cameroon. J Afr Earth Sci Hydrogeochem Stud Sub-Saharan Afr 22(4):433–441

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tekle-Haimanot R, Melaku Z, Kloos H, Reimann C, Fantaye W, Zerihun L, Bjorvatn K (2006) The geographic distribution of fluoride in surface and groundwater in Ethiopia with an emphasis on the Rift Valley. Sci Total Environ 367(1):182–190

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • UN (1989) Ethiopia: Groundwater in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. Natural Resources/Water Series No. 19, United Nations, New York, NY, pp 84–95

    Google Scholar 

  • UN-FAO (2007) Review of world water resources by country. UN Food and Agricultural Organization Water Reports 23, Rome, Italy

    Google Scholar 

  • UNICEF (2007) United Nations Children Educational Fund Annual Report and Children Health Statistics. Available at: http://www.unicef.org/statistics/

  • UN Millennium Project Task Force on Water and Sanitation (2005) Health, dignity and development: what will it take? Millennium project. Stockholm International Water Institute, Stockholm

    Google Scholar 

  • Vasak SL, Griffioen J, Feenstra L (2010) Fluoride in African groundwater: Occurrence and mitigation. In: Sustainable groundwater resources in Africa: UNESCO, IHP; 2010:153–168

    Google Scholar 

  • WASH (2008) Ethiopia: WASH Movement for better sanitation and hygiene adapted from WASH Case Studies Series, WSSCC, April, http://www.wsscc.org/fileadmin/files/pdf/publication/wash_Case_Studies_Series-Ethiopia_pdf

  • Wongdem JG, Aderinokun GA, Sridhar MK, Selkur S (2000) Prevalence and distribution pattern of enamel fluorosis in Langtang town, Nigeria. Afr J Med Med Sci 29:243–246

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wongdem JG, Aderinokun GA, Ubom GA, Sridhar MK, Selkur S (2001) Dental fluorosis and fluoride mapping in Langtang town, Nigeria. Afr J Med Med Sci 30:31–34

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organisation (WHO) (2004) Guidelines in drinking water. WHO, Copenhagen, pp 1–102

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organisation (WHO) (2005) Joint Monitoring Report. http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/ and at the Joint Monitoring Programme website http://www.wssinfo.org

  • World Health Organisation (WHO)/United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Joint Monitoring Programme for Water and Sanitation (JMP) (2008) Progress on drinking water and sanitation. WHO, Geneva and UNICEF, New York, NY

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

    Segun Adelana

  2. Hydrological Research Center, Institute for Mining and Geological Research (IRGM), Yaounde, Cameroon

    Wilson Fantong

  3. Department of Geology and Earth Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia

    Dessie Nedaw

  4. Water Research Institute, Accra, Ghana

    Anthony Duah

Authors
  1. Segun Adelana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wilson Fantong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dessie Nedaw
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Anthony Duah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Segun Adelana .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Aberystwyth University, Institute of Geography & Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DB, United Kingdom

    J. Anthony A. Jones

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Adelana, S., Fantong, W., Nedaw, D., Duah, A. (2011). Groundwater and Health: Meeting Unmet Needs in Sub-Saharan Africa. In: Jones, J. (eds) Sustaining Groundwater Resources. International Year of Planet Earth. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3426-7_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation