Water shortage to hit Sekondi-Takoradi - GWCL hints

Inchaban (W/R), Sept. 4, GNA — The Ghana water Company Limited (GWCL) says due to the reduction of raw water to the Inchaban Water Treatment Plant, there is a high possibility of shortage of water supply to residents in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in the coming days.

 
The Western Regional Chief Manager of the GWCL, Engineer Daniel Moumaalah, made the disclosure during site inspection of the Inchaban Water Head Works in the Shama District on Wednesday.

 
The plant, constructed in 1920s, produced four million gallons of water per day, but is currently generating 4,000 cubic metres of water, which is equivalent to 1.2 million gallons a day.

 
He said if the rains did not fall within the next few days, the company might not meet the water demand from its stakeholders thereby resulting in decline of water supply to the Metropolis.

 
Engineer Moumaalah said the dam sourced raw water from the Anankor River at Inchaban, and noted that in September last year it recorded 8.0 metres water level as against 5.4 metres the same period this year.

 
He, however, attributed the reduction in the water levels to siltation, activities of small-scale miners popularly known as 'Galamsey' as well as change of weather pattern resulting in low rainfall in the catchment area.

 
He indicated that due to the low levels of the dam, gravitational flow of water to the plant had reduced drastically, dropping 0.2 metres daily.

 
He, therefore, advocated massive injection of capital into the water production system in the country in order to enable the GWCL to expand its facilities, saying 'it is capital intensive venture therefore the company's resources alone cannot foot the cost of expansion'.

 
Engineer Moumaalah said 50 per cent of the water produced at the plant goes to the Aboadze Thermal Plant, which was used for cooling purposes, adding that if the GWCL failed to meet the demand by the Volta River Authority, there would be power crisis.

 
The Western Regional Manager of the Public Utility and Regulatory Commission (PURC), Mr. Leon Acquaye, entreated both domestic and commercial water consumers in the Metropolis to use water efficiently.

 
 
GNA