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Wiwi River

From Wikipedia
Wiwi River
river
CountryGhana Edit
Edey de administrative territorial entity insydAshanti Region, Kumasi Metropolitan District Edit
Coordinate location6°39′40″N 1°35′38″W Edit
Map

Wiwi River, wey some sources dey call Wewe River too, be urban river for Kumasi insyd Ashanti Region of Ghana. E be part of de drainage system for Kumasi Metropolitan Area, den e be one of de watercourses wey dey connected to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus. De river be important because e dey help urban drainage, campus ecology, irrigation, wastewater reception, public health studies den biodiversity research.

Wiwi River dey de south-eastern part of Kumasi. One disaster-risk profile wey UNDP Ghana prepare describe say de river dey flow south-westwards through KNUST campus before e join Sisan River for Ahensan.[1] De same report identify Wiwi as one of de four main drainage basins for Kumasi, together with Subin, Aboabo den Sisan basins.[2]

Researchers study de river because e get connection with urbanization, pollution, agriculture, wetland use den public health. Studies look at ein microbiological water quality, ein link to schistosomiasis infection among schoolchildren, de impact of wastewater den land use, den how aquatic den riparian invertebrate communities respond to disturbance.[3][4][5][6]

Course den location

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Wiwi River dey drain part of south-eastern Kumasi den pass through KNUST campus. UNDP Ghana ein disaster-risk profile state say de river dey flow south-westwards through KNUST den join Sisan River at Ahensan.[7] De river be part of Kumasi ein urban drainage system, wey get several rivers den streams wey dey drain northern den central parts of de city.

Other studies den project reports describe de river as water body wey pass through or near communities such as Kotei, Ayeduase, Ayigya den Ahensan, plus KNUST campus. One conservation project report on Wewe River note say de river dey provide household den irrigation water for nearby communities den support riparian zone within de university environment.[8]

De river ein location insyd den around urban university environment give am special character. E dey function both as natural watercourse den as heavily modified urban hydrological system wey campus development, nearby settlements, farms, drains den wastewater flows shape.

Drainage den urban setting

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Kumasi get extensive network of rivers den streams. Wiwi basin be one of de city ein main drainage basins, together with Subin, Aboabo den Sisan basins.[9] These basins dey drain northern den central parts of de city, den rapid urban development, inadequate drainage capacity and increased runoff from built-up surfaces dey affect dem.

Urbanisation around Wiwi River increase pressure on de river corridor. Built-up land, agriculture, wastewater discharge, stormwater runoff den encroachment into ecologically sensitive areas dey affect de river den ein wetlands. Research on land-use activities around surface water bodies in Kumasi identify weak enforcement of buffer regulations den growing development pressure along urban rivers, including Wiwi den Subin rivers.[10]

De river ein urban setting be central to ein environmental condition. Where natural vegetation remove or drainage channels carry greywater den refuse, de river dey get more exposure to sediment, nutrients, pathogens and other pollutants. De condition of Wiwi River show de wider challenge of managing water bodies for fast-growing African cities, where settlement expansion, land scarcity den weak enforcement of planning standards put pressure on river buffers den wetlands.

Water use den irrigation

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Wiwi River den ein riparian area support several local uses. Reports den studies describe de river as source of water for household use, irrigation den nearby farming activities. De SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana project report note say de river dey provide household den irrigation water for communities around KNUST den nearby settlements.[11]

De river get connection with dry-season vegetable farming. One study on wastewater management in Kumasi report say people dey use Wiwi River intensively to cultivate vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, cabbage den spring onions, especially during de dry season.[12] This use be important for urban livelihoods, but e raise public-health concerns when irrigation water get faecal contamination or untreated wastewater.

De use of polluted urban water for vegetable farming be common challenge for cities where farmers rely on nearby drains, streams or rivers to maintain production during dry periods. For Wiwi River, this issue be important because research identify microbiological contamination levels wey make de water unsuitable for domestic use den for irrigation of vegetables wey people fit eat raw.[13]

Water quality den pollution

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Researchers examine de microbiological quality of Wiwi River in detail. One study in 2014 assess water quality along de river ein longitudinal gradient by sampling five locations every two weeks from November 2012 to February 2013.[14] De study test for total coliforms, faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Salmonella species den faecal enterococci.[15]

De study find say microbial contamination vary across de river den generally increase downstream. De most upstream sampling site record de lowest coliform counts, while downstream areas show higher microbial loads.[16] De authors conclude say microbial counts in de river exceed de WHO guideline wey de study use, making de water unsuitable for domestic use den for irrigation of vegetables intended for direct consumption.[17]

Sources of pollution in de catchment include domestic wastewater, greywater, refuse disposal, runoff from developed surfaces den land-use activities close to de river. Awuah den colleagues report say wastewater from de KNUST sewage treatment works den greywater sources contribute to water-quality problems.[18] De study note say part of de wastewater from de KNUST treatment plant enter one adjacent wetland before flowing into Wiwi River.[19]

De pollution of Wiwi River no be only local environmental problem. E get implications for food safety, urban agriculture, public health, aquatic biodiversity den de management of university den community landscapes. De river show how urban water bodies fit become receiving systems for waste when wastewater infrastructure, drainage maintenance den land-use control be weak.

Wastewater den sanitation issues

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Wastewater management be one of de main issues connected with Wiwi River. One study by Awuah in 2014 characterize wastewater generated from KNUST campus den Asafo insyd Kumasi.[20] De study estimate wastewater quantities den analyze parameters such as chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, suspended solids, nutrients, metals, coliforms den helminth eggs.[21]

De researchers report say de KNUST sewage treatment plant get operational problems, including broken trickling filter. Because of this, wastewater enter one adjacent wetland den later flow into Wiwi River.[22] De study record high microbial levels in wastewater samples den find helminth eggs in de wastewater streams examined.[23]

These findings be important because people use de river for urban farming den other local activities. Where untreated or poorly treated wastewater enter river wey people dey use for irrigation, de risk no stay only insyd de river channel. E fit affect vegetable consumers, farmers, nearby residents den aquatic organisms. Wiwi River therefore be useful case for understanding de connection between sanitation infrastructure, wastewater treatment, urban farming den water safety in Kumasi.

Public health den schistosomiasis

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Wiwi River has been studied as possible source of schistosomiasis transmission in Kumasi. One study in 2013 investigate Schistosoma haematobium infection among schoolchildren in an urban setting den identify Wiwi River as potential source of infection.[24] De study be important because schistosomiasis often get association with rural water bodies, but Wiwi River case show say urban watercourses too fit create conditions for exposure.

De study report say de river environment support conditions wey be suitable for freshwater snail intermediate hosts of schistosomes.[25] Contact with contaminated river water fit put children den other users at risk, especially where people use de river for bathing, playing, irrigation or other activities wey involve direct contact with water.

De public-health significance of Wiwi River get link with ein urban context. Wastewater, poor sanitation, direct contact with contaminated water den ecological conditions wey support intermediate hosts fit combine to create health risks. This make de river relevant to wider discussions on urban WASH, environmental health, school health den water-related diseases in Ghanaian cities.

Ecology den biodiversity

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Wiwi River supports riparian den aquatic habitats within de KNUST landscape. One conservation project report by SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana describe Wewe River as critical habitat for at least 12 amphibian species on KNUST campus.[26] De report note say amphibian populations along de river decline because of farming, fuelwood extraction den illegal sewage disposal.[27]

De same project report identify KNUST Botanical Garden, de Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources demonstration farm den de Wewe riparian zone as important habitat areas.[28] Surveys record amphibians in de riparian zone, arboretum den farm areas, while restoration work involve removal of invasive weeds den planting of native tree species insyd de KNUST riparian wetland.[29]

Researchers also study de river through aquatic macroinvertebrates. One study in 2021 examine benthic invertebrate assemblages in Wewe River under different habitat conditions den seasons.[30] De study divide de river into intact, moderately disturbed den severely disturbed zones, den sample during wet den dry seasons.[31]

De benthic invertebrate study be important because aquatic macroinvertebrates dey widely used as indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. De researchers find say habitat condition den season influence invertebrate assemblages in de river.[32] Their work show say de ecological condition of Wiwi River dey vary along de river continuum den reflect de effects of disturbance, urban development den land-use change.

Riparian zone den wetland functions

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De riparian zone of Wiwi River dey provide ecological den hydrological functions. Vegetation along de river fit help stabilise banks, reduce erosion, filter runoff, provide habitat for amphibians den invertebrates, den support small-scale farming. De SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana project report describe de Wewe riparian zone as habitat with vegetation structure wey supports wildlife within de KNUST landscape.[33]

Urban wetland research insyd Kumasi show say many wetlands in de city dey face encroachment, weak institutional support den competing land uses. One study in 2021 find say urban wetlands insyd Kumasi dey provide ecosystem services, but residential, civic den recreational encroachment, weak institutional coordination den pressure from de urban land market dey affect dem.[34]

These findings matter to Wiwi River because ein riparian den wetland areas dey insyd rapidly urbanising environment. Protecting de river corridor require water-quality management, control of land uses within de buffer zone, restoration of vegetation den cooperation between traditional authorities, public agencies, de university den nearby communities.

Research den educational significance

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Wiwi River be important as research den teaching site because of ein location within KNUST campus den ein exposure to several urban environmental pressures. Studies on de river contribute to knowledge on microbiological water quality, wastewater impacts, schistosomiasis, amphibian conservation, benthic invertebrate ecology den land-use pressures in Kumasi.[35][36][37][38][39]

De river provide practical case for understanding urban ecology in a secondary African city. E link campus planning, community water use, wastewater management, river health, public health den biodiversity conservation. For students den researchers, Wiwi River offer living laboratory for studies in environmental science, public health, aquatic ecology, urban planning, sanitation den water-resource management.

De river ein research value strengthen ein importance for public education insyd. Conservation activities along Wewe River include amphibian surveys, restoration work den awareness campaigns involving students den nearby communities.[40] Such work show how urban rivers fit be used for research, environmental learning den local conservation action.

Management den conservation

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Management of Wiwi River require coordinated action on wastewater treatment, solid-waste control, riparian restoration, land-use regulation, water-quality monitoring den public education. Studies on de river point to de need for better sanitation infrastructure den stronger control of activities wey degrade water quality den riverbank habitats.[41][42][43]

One priority be improvement of wastewater treatment den prevention of untreated wastewater from entering de river. This includes maintaining treatment plants, managing greywater, preventing illegal discharge den monitoring de quality of effluent entering wetlands den river channels.

Second priority be protection of de riparian zone. Farming, tree cutting, construction den dumping along de riverbank fit reduce habitat quality, increase erosion den expose de river to pollutants. Restoration activities such as invasive-weed removal, native tree planting den vegetation corridor protection fit improve ecological conditions den support amphibians, invertebrates den other wildlife.

Third priority be regular water-quality den biodiversity monitoring. Researchers already study de river through microbiological indicators, benthic invertebrates den amphibian surveys. Continued monitoring fit help assess whether management interventions dey improve river health den reduce public-health risks.

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Schuurmans, Hanneke (28 December 2014). Risk Profiles of Hotspots in the Pilot Districts. UNDP Ghana. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  2. ↑ Schuurmans, Hanneke (28 December 2014). Risk Profiles of Hotspots in the Pilot Districts. UNDP Ghana. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  3. ↑ Tay, S. C. K.; Kye-Duodu, G.; Gbedema, S. Y. (2013). "River Wiwi: A source of Schistosoma haematobium infection in school children in Kumasi, an urban African setting." African Journal of Microbiology Research, 7(20), 2213–2220. doi:10.5897/AJMR12.489.
  4. ↑ Amisah, S.; Nuamah, P. A. (2014). "Spatial and temporal variations in microbiological water quality of the River Wiwi in Kumasi, Ghana." Water Quality, Exposure and Health, 6, 217–224. doi:10.1007/s12403-014-0128-4.
  5. ↑ Awuah, E.; Amankwaah-Kuffour, R.; Gyasi, S. F.; Lubberding, H. J.; Gijzen, H. J. (2014). "Characterization and management of domestic wastewater in two suburbs of Kumasi, Ghana." Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 8, 318–330. doi:10.3923/rjes.2014.318.330.
  6. ↑ Oppong, S. K.; Nsor, C. A.; Buabeng, G. K. (2021). "Response of benthic invertebrate assemblages to seasonal and habitat condition in the Wewe River, Ashanti region, Ghana." Open Life Sciences, 16(1), 336–353. doi:10.1515/biol-2021-0040.
  7. ↑ Schuurmans, Hanneke (28 December 2014). Risk Profiles of Hotspots in the Pilot Districts. UNDP Ghana. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  8. ↑ SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana. (2015). Project update: Restoring degraded habitats for amphibians along the Wewe River at KNUST. Rufford Foundation.
  9. ↑ Schuurmans, Hanneke (28 December 2014). Risk Profiles of Hotspots in the Pilot Districts. UNDP Ghana. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  10. ↑ Takyi, S. A.; Amponsah, O.; Darko, G.; Peprah, C.; Chiga, A. A. (2022). "Urbanization against ecologically sensitive areas: Effects of land use activities on surface water bodies in the Kumasi Metropolis." International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development. doi:10.1080/19463138.2022.2146121.
  11. ↑ SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana. (2015). Project update: Restoring degraded habitats for amphibians along the Wewe River at KNUST. Rufford Foundation.
  12. ↑ Awuah, E.; Amankwaah-Kuffour, R.; Gyasi, S. F.; Lubberding, H. J.; Gijzen, H. J. (2014). "Characterization and management of domestic wastewater in two suburbs of Kumasi, Ghana." Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 8, 318–330. doi:10.3923/rjes.2014.318.330.
  13. ↑ Amisah, S.; Nuamah, P. A. (2014). "Spatial and temporal variations in microbiological water quality of the River Wiwi in Kumasi, Ghana." Water Quality, Exposure and Health, 6, 217–224. doi:10.1007/s12403-014-0128-4.
  14. ↑ Amisah, S.; Nuamah, P. A. (2014). "Spatial and temporal variations in microbiological water quality of the River Wiwi in Kumasi, Ghana." Water Quality, Exposure and Health, 6, 217–224. doi:10.1007/s12403-014-0128-4.
  15. ↑ Amisah, S.; Nuamah, P. A. (2014). "Spatial and temporal variations in microbiological water quality of the River Wiwi in Kumasi, Ghana." Water Quality, Exposure and Health, 6, 217–224. doi:10.1007/s12403-014-0128-4.
  16. ↑ Amisah, S.; Nuamah, P. A. (2014). "Spatial and temporal variations in microbiological water quality of the River Wiwi in Kumasi, Ghana." Water Quality, Exposure and Health, 6, 217–224. doi:10.1007/s12403-014-0128-4.
  17. ↑ Amisah, S.; Nuamah, P. A. (2014). "Spatial and temporal variations in microbiological water quality of the River Wiwi in Kumasi, Ghana." Water Quality, Exposure and Health, 6, 217–224. doi:10.1007/s12403-014-0128-4.
  18. ↑ Awuah, E.; Amankwaah-Kuffour, R.; Gyasi, S. F.; Lubberding, H. J.; Gijzen, H. J. (2014). "Characterization and management of domestic wastewater in two suburbs of Kumasi, Ghana." Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 8, 318–330. doi:10.3923/rjes.2014.318.330.
  19. ↑ Awuah, E.; Amankwaah-Kuffour, R.; Gyasi, S. F.; Lubberding, H. J.; Gijzen, H. J. (2014). "Characterization and management of domestic wastewater in two suburbs of Kumasi, Ghana." Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 8, 318–330. doi:10.3923/rjes.2014.318.330.
  20. ↑ Awuah, E.; Amankwaah-Kuffour, R.; Gyasi, S. F.; Lubberding, H. J.; Gijzen, H. J. (2014). "Characterization and management of domestic wastewater in two suburbs of Kumasi, Ghana." Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 8, 318–330. doi:10.3923/rjes.2014.318.330.
  21. ↑ Awuah, E.; Amankwaah-Kuffour, R.; Gyasi, S. F.; Lubberding, H. J.; Gijzen, H. J. (2014). "Characterization and management of domestic wastewater in two suburbs of Kumasi, Ghana." Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 8, 318–330. doi:10.3923/rjes.2014.318.330.
  22. ↑ Awuah, E.; Amankwaah-Kuffour, R.; Gyasi, S. F.; Lubberding, H. J.; Gijzen, H. J. (2014). "Characterization and management of domestic wastewater in two suburbs of Kumasi, Ghana." Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 8, 318–330. doi:10.3923/rjes.2014.318.330.
  23. ↑ Awuah, E.; Amankwaah-Kuffour, R.; Gyasi, S. F.; Lubberding, H. J.; Gijzen, H. J. (2014). "Characterization and management of domestic wastewater in two suburbs of Kumasi, Ghana." Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 8, 318–330. doi:10.3923/rjes.2014.318.330.
  24. ↑ Tay, S. C. K.; Kye-Duodu, G.; Gbedema, S. Y. (2013). "River Wiwi: A source of Schistosoma haematobium infection in school children in Kumasi, an urban African setting." African Journal of Microbiology Research, 7(20), 2213–2220. doi:10.5897/AJMR12.489.
  25. ↑ Tay, S. C. K.; Kye-Duodu, G.; Gbedema, S. Y. (2013). "River Wiwi: A source of Schistosoma haematobium infection in school children in Kumasi, an urban African setting." African Journal of Microbiology Research, 7(20), 2213–2220. doi:10.5897/AJMR12.489.
  26. ↑ SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana. (2015). Project update: Restoring degraded habitats for amphibians along the Wewe River at KNUST. Rufford Foundation.
  27. ↑ SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana. (2015). Project update: Restoring degraded habitats for amphibians along the Wewe River at KNUST. Rufford Foundation.
  28. ↑ SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana. (2015). Project update: Restoring degraded habitats for amphibians along the Wewe River at KNUST. Rufford Foundation.
  29. ↑ SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana. (2015). Project update: Restoring degraded habitats for amphibians along the Wewe River at KNUST. Rufford Foundation.
  30. ↑ Oppong, S. K.; Nsor, C. A.; Buabeng, G. K. (2021). "Response of benthic invertebrate assemblages to seasonal and habitat condition in the Wewe River, Ashanti region, Ghana." Open Life Sciences, 16(1), 336–353. doi:10.1515/biol-2021-0040.
  31. ↑ Oppong, S. K.; Nsor, C. A.; Buabeng, G. K. (2021). "Response of benthic invertebrate assemblages to seasonal and habitat condition in the Wewe River, Ashanti region, Ghana." Open Life Sciences, 16(1), 336–353. doi:10.1515/biol-2021-0040.
  32. ↑ Oppong, S. K.; Nsor, C. A.; Buabeng, G. K. (2021). "Response of benthic invertebrate assemblages to seasonal and habitat condition in the Wewe River, Ashanti region, Ghana." Open Life Sciences, 16(1), 336–353. doi:10.1515/biol-2021-0040.
  33. ↑ SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana. (2015). Project update: Restoring degraded habitats for amphibians along the Wewe River at KNUST. Rufford Foundation.
  34. ↑ Kuusaana, E. D.; Ahmed, A.; Campion, B. B.; Dongzagla, A. (2021). "Characterisation and typology of urban wetlands in Ghana: Implications for the governance of urban commons in secondary cities in Africa." Urban Governance, 1(2), 161–172. doi:10.1016/j.ugj.2021.09.002.
  35. ↑ Tay, S. C. K.; Kye-Duodu, G.; Gbedema, S. Y. (2013). "River Wiwi: A source of Schistosoma haematobium infection in school children in Kumasi, an urban African setting." African Journal of Microbiology Research, 7(20), 2213–2220. doi:10.5897/AJMR12.489.
  36. ↑ Amisah, S.; Nuamah, P. A. (2014). "Spatial and temporal variations in microbiological water quality of the River Wiwi in Kumasi, Ghana." Water Quality, Exposure and Health, 6, 217–224. doi:10.1007/s12403-014-0128-4.
  37. ↑ Awuah, E.; Amankwaah-Kuffour, R.; Gyasi, S. F.; Lubberding, H. J.; Gijzen, H. J. (2014). "Characterization and management of domestic wastewater in two suburbs of Kumasi, Ghana." Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 8, 318–330. doi:10.3923/rjes.2014.318.330.
  38. ↑ Oppong, S. K.; Nsor, C. A.; Buabeng, G. K. (2021). "Response of benthic invertebrate assemblages to seasonal and habitat condition in the Wewe River, Ashanti region, Ghana." Open Life Sciences, 16(1), 336–353. doi:10.1515/biol-2021-0040.
  39. ↑ Takyi, S. A.; Amponsah, O.; Darko, G.; Peprah, C.; Chiga, A. A. (2022). "Urbanization against ecologically sensitive areas: Effects of land use activities on surface water bodies in the Kumasi Metropolis." International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development. doi:10.1080/19463138.2022.2146121.
  40. ↑ SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana. (2015). Project update: Restoring degraded habitats for amphibians along the Wewe River at KNUST. Rufford Foundation.
  41. ↑ Awuah, E.; Amankwaah-Kuffour, R.; Gyasi, S. F.; Lubberding, H. J.; Gijzen, H. J. (2014). "Characterization and management of domestic wastewater in two suburbs of Kumasi, Ghana." Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 8, 318–330. doi:10.3923/rjes.2014.318.330.
  42. ↑ Amisah, S.; Nuamah, P. A. (2014). "Spatial and temporal variations in microbiological water quality of the River Wiwi in Kumasi, Ghana." Water Quality, Exposure and Health, 6, 217–224. doi:10.1007/s12403-014-0128-4.
  43. ↑ Takyi, S. A.; Amponsah, O.; Darko, G.; Peprah, C.; Chiga, A. A. (2022). "Urbanization against ecologically sensitive areas: Effects of land use activities on surface water bodies in the Kumasi Metropolis." International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development. doi:10.1080/19463138.2022.2146121.
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