ORIGINAL PAPER Evaluation of Stored Rainwater Quality in Basic Schools in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana S. J. Cobbina 1 • Y. P. Agoboh 1 • A. B. Duwiejuah 1 • N. Bakobie 1 Received: 5 January 2015 / Revised: 14 July 2015 / Accepted: 15 July 2015 / Published online: 12 August 2015 Ó Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015 Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of stored rainwater in basic schools in the Tamale Metropolis, a semi-arid region of Ghana, which experi- ences persistent water scarcity. Sixty four stored rainwater samples were collected from eight rainwater harvesting facilities in eight basic schools in November and Decem- ber, 2013, and analysed. Total coliform levels ranged from 1.1 9 10 1 to 1.2 9 10 3 cfu/100 ml with a mean of 208 ± 195 cfu/100 ml. The microbial load exceeded World Health Organisation’s (WHO) limit for potability. Heavy metal concentrations were within WHO standards except cadmium and lead. Drinking of stored rainwater can be deleterious to the health of pupils in the basic schools studied. It is therefore recommended that potable water should be provided in the basic schools in order to meet the millennium development goals. Keywords Microbial Á Cadmium Á Stored rainwater quality Á Tamale Metropolis Á Ghana Introduction Rainwater is supposed to be free from impurities; unfor- tunately during precipitation, atmospheric particulate con- taminants sometimes get in contact with the harvested water. Water scarcity has been a serious problem due to increased urbanization, frequent droughts and changing climatic patterns. Rainwater harvesting systems has been one of the ways in addressing the worldwide increase in demand for potable water. In the United States, water conservation has prompted the construction of 100,000 residential rainwater harvesting systems (Lye 2002). Rainwater harvested for household use has gained world- wide recognition, as many people practice it; but in recent times the advent of water treatment and distribution sys- tems has replaced rainwater as a domestic water source in many parts of the world (Hoque et al. 2004). Rainwater use nowadays can be explained by considering the context under which usage occurs. Less than optimal mains water supply coverage accounts for the use of rainwater in developing countries (Hoque et al. 2004). Roof-collected rainwater consumption has gained its popularity because of the general perception that rainwater is ‘‘pure’’ and safe for drinking by the general public. The hazard of diseases arising from roof-collected rainwater consumption can be low provided that the rainwater har- vested is visibly clear, having good taste or smell and properly stored after collection via a properly maintained tank and roof catchment system (Abbott et al. 2006). Rainwater contamination largely depends on the environ- ment, roof materials and receptacles which are used for rainwater storage (Polkowska et al. 2001). The effectiveness of storage tanks for preserving water quality depends on the prevention of sunlight, organic matter and micro-organisms from entering the storage tank (Barnes 2009; Ziadat 2005). Roofing materials, paints and coatings have been proven to be common sources of Cu and Pb. Roofs with Cu flashing were found to have copper and lead concentrations up to 6–8 times greater than gal- vanized roofs. Galvanized metal roofs also can contribute more of Zn and Cd to roof runoff compared to other roof materials. Rainwater exposure to trace metals is mostly & S. J. Cobbina cobbinasamuel@yahoo.com 1 Department of Ecotourism & Environmental Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University for Development Studies, Nyankpala, Ghana 123 Water Qual Expo Health (2015) 7:583–590 DOI 10.1007/s12403-015-0174-6