The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has attributed the ongoing irregular water supply in parts of the Greater Accra Region to production setbacks and distribution challenges.
Communications Manager Stanley Martey disclosed that the difficulties stem from the shutdown of the Teshie desalination plant and extensive leakages along major transmission pipelines serving the capital.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Martey explained: “We had an issue with the owners of the desalination plant in Teshie, which involves legal and maintenance matters that we are still working on.”
He noted that the closure has disrupted supply to Teshie, Nungua, Spintex and nearby communities, compelling GWCL to redistribute limited volumes to other parts of Accra. “The plant that supplies Teshie, Nungua, Spintex and adjoining communities is not operating, but we cannot stop supplying those areas,” he said.
Mr. Martey added that rationing has become necessary, resulting in reduced supply across several districts. “We have to find ways to supply Teshie, Nungua, Ashaiman, Gbetsile, Zenu, Kpone, Prampram, Katamanso and surrounding communities. The available water volumes have reduced,” he stated.
As a result, residents in Teshie and Nungua currently receive water only twice weekly. “Teshie and Nungua residents now receive water only two times a week because we have to share the available supply with other communities,” he confirmed.
Further inspections revealed serious leakages along pipelines from Kpone to Tema, significantly reducing the amount reaching consumers. Although water is pumped through three major lines measuring 43, 24 and 21 inches, only between 40 and 60 per cent arrives at its destination. “We realised that only about 40 to 60 per cent of the water pumped from Kpone to Tema gets to consumers, which means many communities are not receiving enough water,” Mr. Martey explained.
Engineers identified weak sections and vacuum leaks, many hidden in bushy areas, while some farmers had allegedly punctured pipelines illegally to divert water for irrigation, further worsening losses and affecting supply.
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