Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2012, 2(2):118-127 IAEES www.iaees.org Article Chemical analysis of potable water samples from selected suburbs of Accra, Ghana E.T. Gyamfi 1 , M. Ackah 1 , A. K. Anim 1 , J. K. Hanson 1 , L. Kpattah 1 , S. Enti-Brown 1 , Y. Adjei-Kyereme 2 , E. S. Nyarko 1 1 Nuclear Chemistry and Environmental Research Centre, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. Kwabenya, Accra, Ghana 2 Nuclear and Radioactive Waste Management Centre, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. Kwabenya, Accra, Ghana E-mail: evagyamfi@gmail.co.com Received 7 August 2011; Accepted 10 September 2011; Published online 5 June 2012 IAEES Abstract A study was carried out to assess the suitability of potable water used for domestic activities in twelve selected suburbs in Accra. Several water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity and redox potential (eh) were measured. The results of the physical parameters revealed the following: temperature range of 25.2 o C - 26.2 o C, pH range of 6.64-7.80, conductivity range of 187-725 μS/cm, total dissolved solids, 90-352 mg/L, total suspended solids 0-4 mg/L, bicarbonate, 68.27- 121.91 mg/L, chloride, 11.996-343.89 mg/L, Phosphate, BDL-0.128 mg/L and sulphate, 0.08-0.40 mg/L. Copper and Manganese recorded concentrations below the WHO limits of 2mg/L and 0.01mg/L respectively. Iron however recorded concentrations higher than WHO limits of 0.1mg/L. However, Cd, Pb, Cr and Co were below their respective detection limits. Keywords potable water; Accra; trace metals. 1 Introduction Potable water is the water of sufficiently high quality that can be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. Water has always been an important and life-sustaining drink to humans and is essential to the survival of all organisms (Wateraid, 2008). Excluding fat, water composes approximately 70% of the human body by mass. It is a crucial component of metabolic processes and serves as a solvent for many bodily solutes. Water is essential for the growth and maintenance of our bodies, as it is involved in a number of biological processes. The amount of water needed varies with the individual, as it depends on the condition of the subject, the amount of physical exercise, and on the environmental temperature and humidity. An individual's thirst provides a better guide for how much water they require rather than a specific fixed quantity. In terms of mineral nutrients intake, it is unclear what the drinking water contribution is. However, inorganic minerals generally enter surface water and ground water via storm water runoff or through the Earth's crust. Treatment processes also lead to the presence of some minerals. Examples include calcium, zinc, manganese, phosphate, and sodium compound (Greenhalgh, 2001). Water generated from the biochemical metabolism of nutrients provides a significant proportion of the daily water requirements for