By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, March 22, GNA – The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWL) in the Central Region has said that more than 41 per cent of the water it produces and distributes across the region every month could not be accounted for, leading to substantial loss of revenue.
Already, the company operates only 56 per cent of its installed capacity largely due to activities such as illegal mining, farming and construction works which have affected the turbidity of the raw water and bad led to many sources virtually drying up.
GWL in the region is consequently grappling with exorbitant operational costs, and the loss of such significant amounts exacerbates their plight.
Ing John Eric Kwofie, the Regional Manager of the company, bemoaning the situation, attributed the thefts largely to illegal connection by some unpatriotic citizens through and in a few cases, leakages from burst pipelines and some regular customers who bypassed their meters to avoid billing.
Ing Kwofie expressed the concern during a meeting with the press to mark this year’s World Water Day celebration on the theme: “Glacier Preservation.”
World Water Day is an annual United Nations observance day held on March 22 to highlight the importance of fresh water and advocate sustainable management of freshwater resources.
In Ghana, however, the day is being observed under the theme: “Water conservation: Let’s make it our way of life.”
Ing Kwofie announced that as recently as Wednesday, some two customers were apprehended for stealing water and issued a penalty bill to pay.
To tackle the situation, the company had constituted a control team which would commence work soon to clamp down on the illegalities.
He further urged the public to report acts of water thefts in their communities to the company, pledging to treat such information as confidential and reward whistleblowers.
As if the water theft was not enough, the GWL in the Central Region is also dealing with meter theft which the Regional Manager admitted was pronounced across all regions, adding that his office was collaborating with the police to deal with perpetrators of such crimes.
Ing Kwofie assured the public that water production was gradually getting better with improved production and distribution.
He said rains from the Eastern Region had begun filling up the river sources and should it continue, the acute water shortage in the region would be mitigated.
“I must admit that we are not doing full production at these stations, and it will take some time for the situation to normalise across all the affected areas.
“We are hoping that within the next two weeks, if we get enough inflows and reliable power supply, we should be fine because the rains have started,” he stressed
He entreated the public to use water wisely and effectively to ensure an efficient management of the limited treated water.
“We shouldn’t use it to water our lawns, wash our vehicles and other similar things that will affect supply within the affected areas.
“When we manage it well, we will be able to survive the situation during the dry season,” he added.
GNA
AT/KOA