The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has revealed that the recent rains throughout the country and the opening of the spill gates for the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso have caused considerable havoc to some water treatment plants in the country.
Assurance from the management of the GWCL to the public that despite the difficulties, it has put up measures to mitigate the situation to reduce the impact on consumers.
In the Greater Accra region, the GWCL explained that the Weija dam is currently at a level of 49.5ft as against the maximum operating level of 48ft.
Spillage normally begins when the level gets to 46.5ft.
“As a result, four (4) spill gates have been opened to safeguard the integrity of the dam, save the dam from collapse, and save lives and properties,” it said.
In the Upper West, it said the Jambusi Treatment Plant is sited at the banks of the Black Volta, at the boundary between Ghana and Burkina Faso. The level of the river rose to a level of 13.8ft as against the maximum operating level of 13.0ft.
The high level of the river, coupled with run water from the rains, caused the flooding of the Pump House at the intake and production had to be curtailed at that point.
“The opening of the spill gates of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso raised the level of the Nawuni river in the Northern region where water is abstracted at Dalun and treated for the people of Tamale. Two transformers that feed the treatment plant got damaged and power to the plant was curtailed. Due to the challenges, production has reduced, and Engineers from Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) are assisting GWCL to have it solved,” the GWCL stated.
In the Eastern Region, it said Water supply to Akyem Oda, Akwatia, Kade, and surrounding communities has been curtailed because of the shutdown of the Akyem Oda Treatment Plant, due to the flooding of the pump house at the abstraction point (in-take point). The flooding also caused damage to some equipment such as electronic control panels and pumps.
Also, residents of Koforidua are currently experiencing low pressure in some areas of the metropolis due to flooding of the plant at Densuano and this has affected all the equipment in the plant.
“It is pertinent to note that there are similar situations occurring at Daboase in the Western Region, Winneba and Kwanyarko in the central region, and other areas, Management of the Ghana Water Company Limited wishes to assure the public and its cherished Customers, that Engineers of the company are on top of the situation and doing everything possible to forestall further eventualities,” the Company said.
