The Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has warned that the activities of a private developer near the Kpeve Water Treatment Plant in the Volta Region are endangering both the quality and supply of treated water to residents.
The company, led by Managing Director Mr. Adam Mutawakilu, has described the development as a grave environmental and operational risk that requires immediate state intervention.
According to Mr. Mutawakilu, the private developer has encroached dangerously close to the Kpeve water intake point – the source of raw water for the treatment plant. He explained that the situation has already begun to compromise water quality, making the plant’s operations increasingly unstable.
“Human activities around the intake have made it difficult to maintain water quality. Anytime it rains, we are forced to shut down production,” he said.
The GWL boss explained that such encroachments expose the water source to contamination and health risks, noting that even seemingly minor human interference near intake zones can introduce waste and pathogens into the system, creating severe consequences for downstream users.
“People can even urinate inside – that is why the intake must be protected,” he added..
According to Mr. Mutawakilu, GWL detected the encroachment months ago and followed due procedure by notifying the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources. Following the company’s report, the Ministry issued a directive ordering the private developer to halt operations.
However, the directive was ignored. “The construction has continued despite several warnings issued to the developer,” Mr. Mutawakilu lamented.
He disclosed that the company has since observed a dangerous rise in turbidity levels – from about 5 NTU to 140 NTU – making the treatment process significantly more difficult and costly. He explained that each time the plant is forced to shut down due to pollution, thousands of residents are denied access to safe water while the company incurs heavy financial losses.
“This situation is not sustainable,” he stated emphatically, urging the situation to be brought under control by the government.
Government and Security Intervention
Mr. Mutawakilu stated that protecting the Kpeve facility is now GWL’s immediate priority. He confirmed that the company has escalated the matter to the National Security Secretariat, urging swift intervention to stop the illegal development and safeguard the affected area.
He emphasized that the issue is not only about Kpeve and reclaiming the affected area, but part of a broader national concern about safeguarding water infrastructure across Ghana. GWL, he said, is determined to prevent similar encroachments near other intake points and water treatment installations.
Mr. Mutawakilu appealed to traditional leaders, local authorities, and community members to support efforts to protect public water sources.
“We cannot allow private developments to endanger facilities that serve entire communities. Protecting our water intake points is essential to ensuring an uninterrupted supply for all”
Mr. Adam Mutawakilu, Managing Director of GWL
He cautioned that without collective vigilance, such private developments could severely affect the sustainability of clean water supply in the region and beyond.
The warning from GWL comes amid growing national discussions about environmental protection and infrastructure security, as the government has prioritized the rehabilitation and protection of water facilities across the country, especially in the face of galamsey.
The company’s call for urgent action underscores the delicate balance between private development and public interest, with the Kpeve incident serving as a reminder of the consequences of regulatory neglect.
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