Ghana Water Limited (Central Region) has announced an improvement in water supply in Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding areas, despite ongoing challenges with raw water quality due to illegal mining (galamsey).

The recent update from the Management of Ghana Water Limited revealed that efforts by the Central Regional Security Council, under the leadership of Hon. Regional Minister Mrs. Justina Marigold Assan, have led to a significant improvement in water production at the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

“We wish to assure our cherished customers within Cape Coast, Elmina and the surrounding communities that every effort is being made to supply adequate water to meet their demand”.
Management, Ghana Water Limited

In a statement, the company disclosed that the water turbidity levels, which had previously reached an alarming 14,000 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU), have now decreased to 9,000 NTU.

This improvement, the statement noted has enabled the plant to increase water production from a daily output of 1,981,290 gallons to 2,773,807 gallons.

The increase marks a substantial improvement in water availability for the communities affected by supply shortages.

However, Ghana Water Limited cautioned that the turbidity levels are still significantly higher than the plant’s design threshold of 2,000 NTU, meaning that challenges remain in providing an optimal water supply.

The heightened turbidity is attributed to heavy siltation caused by illegal mining activities in the Pra River, the primary source of water for the Sekyere Hemang facility.

Efforts to Combat Illegal Mining and Water Pollution

Additionally, the statement disclosed that Ghana Water Limited has engaged the Central Regional Security Council and other relevant authorities to mitigate the effects of illegal mining on water resources.

The company expressed its appreciation to the Regional Security Council for their prompt response in working to protect the region’s water sources.

The statement indicated that under the leadership of Hon. Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Council has taken steps to improve the quality of the Pra River by clamping down on illegal mining activities along its course.

Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant WTP — Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant (WTP)

In its statement, Ghana Water Limited called on all stakeholders, including local communities and leaders, to actively participate in the fight against galamsey.

The company urged residents to report illegal mining activities to local authorities and support initiatives aimed at safeguarding water bodies.

“Your assistance is crucial in helping us restore the quality of raw water and ensure a reliable supply of clean drinking water, especially as we celebrate our most cherished festivals,”
Management, Ghana Water Limited

Looking Ahead: Ensuring Sustainable Water Supply

Ghana Water Limited assured its customers that it remains committed to addressing the water supply challenges. The company pledged to keep the public updated on any significant changes to the raw water quality that could affect supply.

The Management also encouraged customers to use water wisely, particularly during the current supply limitations.

Ghana Water Limited also acknowledged the ongoing support of the Central Regional Security Council, which has been pivotal in efforts to address the pollution of water sources.

The latest update from Ghana Water Limited follows an earlier statement, in which it decried the challenges posed by galamsey activities along the Pra River which led to a marked reduction in the amount of raw water available for treatment.

According to Ghana Water Limited, 60% of the river’s catchment area was heavily silted due to illegal mining, severely compromising the quality of water that reaches the Sekyere Hemang WTP.

The earlier statement indicated that despite the plant’s installed capacity to produce 30,000 cubic meters (7,925,000 gallons) of water daily, it was only able to treat a quarter of that amount due to the poor quality of raw water received.

It also added that the pollution of the Pra River not only reduced water availability but also increased treatment costs, making it harder to meet the rising demand for water in Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding communities.

The company extended its sincere apologies to residents for the inconveniences caused by these supply gaps, stressing that it is working with stakeholders to address the situation.