Rainwater Quality Assessment In The Tamale Municipality.

Abstract-The study on the rainwater quality was carried out in Tamale Municipality in Ghana which is poorly endowed with natural water bodies that dries up during the dry season. Rainwater samples were analyzed for pH turbidity electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids and major ions Ca2 Mg2 K Na Cl- NO3- H2CO3 CO3 silica and SO42-. pH levels ranged from 5.02 to 9.0 pH units with a mean of 7.18 0.72 pH units. The low pH found in some samples indicates high presence of CO2 in the atmosphere as a result of excessive bush burning within the environs. This can also be attributed to the increased use of fossil fuel which emits high amounts of SO2 NO2 vehicular movement and particulate matter smoke dust suspended soot in the air. Turbidity levels of rainwater during the four year ranged from 0.4 to 12.4 NTU with a mean of 2.62.5 NTU compared to WHO limit of 5 NTU. The high levels of turbidity of rainwater recorded may be due to the presents of particulate matter in the atmospheric air. pH showed good correlation with K which indicates that the rampant annual bush burning is the common source of atmospheric pollution in the metropolis. The rainwater quality in the study area is influenced by local activities such as bush burning and particulate matter or dust.