Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has revealed that the northern regional capital, Tamale, is facing a water supply capacity surpassing its limits, necessitating the implementation of a systematic rationing approach to meet the heightened demand.
Dr. Clifford A. Braimah, the Managing Director, attributed this issue to disruptions caused by the construction of urban roads.
During a recent visit to the Northern and Savannah regions, Dr. Braimah underscored the adverse impact of urban road construction on pipelines, exacerbating the challenges in water supply.
He advocated for a re-engineering approach to effectively address these issues.
In response to the situation, GWL is considering the introduction of a demand management program to ensure residents in Tamale have access to water at least once a week.
Dr. Braimah emphasized the necessity of finding solutions to challenges in water supply, including those stemming from the activities of external agencies and power outages from NEDCO.
He called for citizens’ collaboration in identifying individuals with inland pumps in their residences.
He also highlighted the dependency on NEDCO for 100% of production or powering their machines, noting that any power outage from NEDCO affects their systems.
Despite operational challenges, Dr. Braimah acknowledged the need for a systematic rationing process or demand management program to ensure water access for everyone in Tamale at least once a week.
“We are here to look at the challenges that are confronting our people regarding the supply of water and whatever interventions that we can put in immediately to resolve or to minimize those challenges.
“That’s why we are here. We were with us this morning at RCC when we spoke to the Minister about the support we need from the Regional Security Committee, because there are some of the challenges, for example in Tamale, that are a result of activities of agencies and not Ghana Water Company.”
“We depend on NEDCO 100% for production or for us to power their machines. At any time NEDCO power, flat twist, our systems go off. So you could have your systems working properly, because of inadequate power you are unable to deliver.
“However, we have our challenges because Tamale has outgrown the capacity that we now have. So, all we can do is to have a systematic rationing process or demand management programme so that at least everybody in Tamale will have water at least once a week.”