The Ghana Water Company Limited has announced that it may have to shut down two major treatment plants in the Ashanti Region due to significantly increased turbidity, which is driving up production costs.
The Konongo and Odaso treatment plants have been severely affected by illegal mining activities, also known as ‘galamsey.’
In a recent interview on GhanAkoma’s Akoma 87.9 FM with host Sir John, Dr. Hanson Mensah Akutteh, the company’s Production Manager, expressed serious concern over the situation.
He warned that the shutdown could result in thousands of residents losing access to piped water.
The Ashanti Region has ten treatment plants, including Barekese, Owabi, Mampong, Konongo, Aframso, Odaso, New Edubiase, Tepa, Agona, and Effiduase Asokore.
“Ashanti Region has 10 treatment plants; Barekese, Owabi, Mampong, Konongo, Aframso, Odaso, New Edubiase, Tepa, Agona and Effiduase Asokore. However, out of the ten, two have a challenge; Konongo and Odaso treatment plants have been invaded by illegal miners. We are unable to treat the raw water. Shutting down the plants is possible: he said.
However, Konongo and Odaso are currently facing challenges. Dr. Akutteh explained that the plants are struggling to treat raw water due to contamination from illegal mining.
For instance, the Odaso plant, which should produce 4 million gallons of water daily, can only process 1.5 million gallons of raw water, with only half of that becoming potable.
The turbidity levels have soared from 25 NTU to an alarming 5,124 NTU, pushing the company toward a potential shutdown.