Water Quality Management and Monitoring Programmes at Community-Sourced Drinking Water Sources in Ghana's Volta Region: Long-Term Sustainability Impacts

Community-sourced drinking water sources in Ghana's Volta Region face challenges with water quality management due to inadequate monitoring programmes. An ethnographic study employing participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis was conducted among communities in the Volta Region. Focus groups were used to gather qualitative data from stakeholders including local authorities and water committee members. A notable theme identified was the community's active participation in monitoring programmes, with a proportion of 72% expressing satisfaction with current initiatives. Community-led monitoring programmes have proven effective in sustaining water quality at these sources over time. Local governance structures play a critical role in ensuring programme success and sustainability. Future studies should explore the scalability of successful models to other regions, while ongoing engagement with communities is essential for continued support and improvement of existing programmes.