Abstract

The increasing stress on freshwater resources due to ever-rising demands and profligate uses as well as growing population of Ejisu-Juaben District is an issue of great concern. The purpose of this study is to make a quantitative estimate of the available groundwater resources in the Ejisu-Juaben district for efficient utilization and management of groundwater resources. The methodology involved the collection and analysis of existing well data and chloride mass balance. The results indicate that the aquifers are composite and composed of weathered regolith of low permeability and high storage and overlying fissured bedrock of high permeability and low storage. Semi unconfined aquifers prevail in major portions, which constitute the principal source of groundwater. The depths of boreholes in the District range from 17 - 75 m with an average of 51 m. Generally Ejisu-Juaben district has low groundwater potential with mean yield, transmissivity and specific yield values of 2.8 m³/h, 12.5 m²/d and 0.95 m³/h/m respectively. Recharge in the district is estimated as 7 - 9% of the average annual rainfall of 1874 mm. The permanent water reserve of 326,064,375 m³ and recoverable water reserve of 130,425,750 m³ for the aquifer of the basement complex aquifer were estimated from the records of 97 boreholes.

Key words: Groundwater assessment, water quality, recharge, water management, water resources.