**Abstract Text**
Of all the natural resources available to humankind, water holds a prominent place, particularly because of its importance for human livelihood. Savelugu district in northern Ghana is characterized by unpredictable rainfall patterns with periodic and perennial water shortages. The distance people travel to fetch water and the person-hours spent affect productivity, economic livelihood, and health benefits. Potable water supply to these communities is expected to bring not only health, education benefits but also significant improvement in agricultural productivity, increase sanitation and hygiene practices. Static water levels (SWLs) of 19 wells in the study area were collected, analyzed and compared to the initial SWLs measured when the wells were immediately drilled and constructed. The SWL data was subjected to paired samples T-test (with α = 0.05). From the results, there was significant difference in the SWL immediately after drilling and construction (µ = 12.15, σ = 7.50) and SWL after at least 10 years (µ = 17.81, σ = 10.29); t (18) = -3.7, P = 0.002. Lowered groundwater levels were recorded in all wells measured. This can lead to drying up of some of the wells whose difference between the current SWL and well depth is close. The lowering of SWLs could be attributed to reducing tree-cover and rampant vegetation removal, which increases desertification, surface runoffs and less underground waters recharge after rainfall in the area. There must be strong advocacy, development and implementation of IWRM plans to help address the problem of inadequate WASH in the study area.



Lowering of Groundwater Levels and their Effect on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services in the Savelugu District, Northern Region of Ghana

The International Low Impact Development Conference highlights interdisciplinary practice, research, and implementation of Low Impact Development (LID), Green Infrastructure (GI), Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and Water Sensitive Urban Designs (WSUD). The focus will be on using our past and present understanding of LID to tune management programs, design practice, and operation and maintenance into the future.