Ashanti region’s water security is under threat due to silt and plastic wastes choking two main treatment plants that supply water to Kumasi.
Management of the Ghana Water Limited (GWL) reports that sand and plastics have filled 75% of the Owabi Treatment Plant, while the Barekese dam, the area’s largest facility, has lost 40% of its storage capacity.
Officials warn that thousands of homes could face severe water shortages within two years if the government does not dredge the dams and protect the water.
The Owabi plant typically supplies 3 million gallons of clean water daily.
However, heavy pollution has turned the once-clear water into a dirty, milky mixture. This forces GWL workers to clear out waste constantly.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Hanson Mensah-Akutteh, a Chief Manager at GWL, said, “This is even more serious because the volume that is now left on the surface of the reservoir is just small, and this cannot even take us to a year if there is a serious climate variability”.
While the water at the Barekese dam looks cleaner, sand has filled the bottom, a situation the GWL blames on people farming and building homes near the riverbanks.
Dr. Mensah-Akutteh further warned that in the next two to three years, “Kumasi will be out of water if there is a serious climate change of drought/dryness”.
During a recent visit, GWL Managing Director Adam Mutawakilu said the buildup is so bad that they cannot pull water from the deeper parts of the Barekese dam.
“The Barekese dam has a gauge at the deep, middle, and top levels. Currently, we can’t extract water from the deeper part,” he added.
Mr. Mutawakilu has therefore asked the Finance Ministry for permission to begin dredging.
“There is at least revenue for the dredging, based on which we have requested commitment authorisation from the finance ministry. It is my hope that it will be approved on time so that we can kickstart the dredging,” he stated.
To prevent further damage, a national security task force will soon patrol the area to stop people from encroaching on the land.
