Using polluted water as source of irrigation: The impacts on health of consumers

Polluted water as a source of irrigation for Accra’s vegetable farmers

The exponential expansion of Accra into the adjoining suburbs is a worry especially in the area of food supply especially vegetable production. Most of the vegetables supplied to the city are from the hinterlands and peri-urban areas but a substantial volume is produced within the city of Accra. The vegetables are farmed on plots along drainage systems such as gutters and streams. The vegetables are produced all year round.

The question is where do the farmers source the water to irrigate their vegetables? The obvious answer to this question is that they rely solely on the water from streams and drainage systems for irrigation.

These water is sometimes polluted and contained a lot of harmful contaminants which impact on the health of the consumers.

Using polluted water as a source of irrigation for vegetable farming in Accra can have significant consequences for both human health and environmental sustainability. In analysing this issue it is essential to consider the following points:

1.Impact on Human Health: Polluted water may contain a lot of harmful contaminants in the form of heavy metals, pathogens, pesticides, and industrial waste. These pollutants can accumulate in the crops when used for irrigation, posing health risks to both farmers and consumers. This have to be seen as a public health issue and must be addressed urgently. Eating vegetables grown with polluted water can lead to various diseases and long-term health problems.

2. Impact on the environment: Using polluted water for irrigation can have detrimental effects on the local ecosystem. Contaminants in the water can find their way into nearby water bodies, contaminating them and impacting aquatic life. Aquatic animals may die when contaminated water flows into them. This can disrupt the overall ecological balance and harm biodiversity in the area. According to Sustainable Development Goal 11human life depends on the earth as much as the ocean(water bodies) for our sustenance and livelihoods.

3. Crop contamination and quality: Vegetables irrigated with polluted water can absorb and retain contaminants, this make them unsafe for consumption. Heavy metals and other pollutants can accumulate in the edible parts of the plants, making them unfit for human consumption. This can have negative effects on both the local economy and public health.

4.Soil quality: Polluted water may not only harm crops but also degrade the quality of the soil. The presence of contaminants in irrigation water can lead to soil contamination, negatively impacting soil fertility and overall agricultural productivity. The more a particular portion of soil contain chemicals the more it gets degraded and lose it nutrients. Over time the land may not be able to support agricultural productivity. The land may become unsuitable for farming, contributing to a decrease in food production and economic loss. It will take a great amount of resources and time for the land to regain it quality.

In finding Sustainable alternatives, it is crucial to prioritize the use of clean and safe water sources for irrigation. Implementing sustainable water management practices, such as water conservation techniques, rainwater harvesting, and wastewater treatment, can provide safer alternatives for irrigation. Additionally, promoting awareness and educating farmers about the potential risks associated with polluted water can help them make informed decisions. Government, Civil Society and other stakeholders will have to see this as matter of necessity to implement policies gear toward sustainable agriculture in the city of Accra and other major urban centres in the country.

In conclusion, using polluted water for irrigation in Accra's vegetable farming poses significant risks to human health, soil quality, and the environment as a whole. Advocacy for the adoption of sustainable farming practices and the use of clean water sources to ensure the safety and sustainability of agricultural production is very essential. Government and relevant authorities should play a vital role in enacting and enforcing regulations to protect farmers, consumers, and the broader ecosystem. Invest in education programs that emphasize water management to provide broader support for urban farms. This will go along way to make our cities more sustainable in terms of agricultural production.