The Ghana Water Company Limited GWCL is forced to ration water supply to the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis due to low level of the dam at the Doboase head works. Already some areas have been facing acute water shortage for some months now.
The company is currently producing 2 million gallons of water a day which is far less of the 5 million they need to serve consumers in the metropolis and its environs.
The Daboase Water Plant, which has the capacity of producing 6 million gallons of water per day is the major treatment plant that supply portable water to the people of Sekondi-Takoradi and its environs. The challenges faced by the state portable water producer and supplier, is caused by illegal mining activities locally termed “Galamsey” on the River Pra which used to be the main source of raw water for the plant.
Currently the treatment plant does not get raw water from the Pra anymore except during the raining season. The raw water is now taken from Bosomase, a community close to Daboase.
Management of the GWCL has expressed concern about the current situation. The Company also says Chemicals like mercury and cyanide used for the Galamsey operations has increased the cost of production of treated water.
Most residents are worried and calling on authorities to step up control on illegal mining on the Pra. Even more worrying is the involvement of Chinese nationals in the business of messing up the water supply for the metropolis. The understanding on the street is that these Chinese nationals have the backing of some chiefs in the communities where the small scale mining activities take place.
There have been occasional swoop by the police and military but not enough to deter the illegal miners whose quest for gold has poisoned water supply in the Sekondi Takoradi metropolis and other parts of the Western Region.
source: aptnewsgh.com
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