The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has announced that it will shut down the Kpong water treatment plant for five days to carry out maintenance works on its pipeline. The plant supplies water to the eastern part of Accra, the capital city, and its surrounding areas.
The shutdown will affect millions of residents and businesses who rely on the plant for their daily water needs. Some of the areas that will experience water shortage include Gbetsile, Afienya, Zenu, Prampram, Mataheko, Katamanso, Dawhenya, Sakumono, Batsonaa, Klagon, Tema Township, Adjei Kojo, Borteyman, Santeo and others.
The GWCL said in a statement that the interruption in water supply will start from Sunday, September 24 to Thursday, September 28, 2023. The company explained that the maintenance works are necessary to rehabilitate the main 42-inch transmission pipeline that has become weak and prone to frequent bursts.
The pipeline, which was installed in 1985, has been operating beyond its design life and has been losing a lot of water and revenue due to leaks and damages. The company said that the rehabilitation works will reduce the inconvenience of frequent water interruptions and ensure a long-term reliability of water supply.
The GWCL urged its customers to store enough water during the period of the shutdown and assured them that water supply will resume as soon as the works are completed. The company also provided some contact numbers and WhatsApp lines for enquiries and alternative supply.
The water crisis in Ghana is not new. The country has been facing water shortages for years due to population growth, urbanisation, climate change, pollution and poor infrastructure. According to the World Health Organization, only 56% of the population has access to safely managed drinking water and 18% still practice open defecation.
The government has been trying to address the water challenges by investing in new projects and partnerships. In July, the government signed a $1.5 billion agreement with the China Gezhouba Group Corporation to construct a multipurpose dam and irrigation project on the Pwalugu River. The project is expected to provide water for domestic, agricultural and industrial use, as well as generate electricity and prevent flooding.
The government has also been working with the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Union and other donors to improve the water and sanitation sector. Some of the ongoing projects include the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project, the Upper East Regional Water Supply Project, the Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project and the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program.
The GWCL has also been implementing various initiatives to improve its service delivery and customer satisfaction. Some of these include the installation of prepaid meters, the expansion of distribution networks, the reduction of non-revenue water, the promotion of water conservation and the adoption of digital technologies.
The water crisis in Ghana is a serious challenge that requires collective action and cooperation from all stakeholders. The GWCL has appealed to the public to support its efforts and to use water wisely and responsibly. The company has also expressed its gratitude to its customers for their patience and understanding during this difficult period.
Source: Ghana Web
