SEKONDI-TAKORADI HIT BY WATER CRISIS (PAGE 25)

RESIDENTS in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis are experiencing intermittent water crisis in recent times, even though the rainy season has started in earnest.
Some residents are sometimes seen trekking long distances in search of potable water.
Some of the suburbs which are worst hit are Effia Kuma Newsite, West Anaji, Anaji Mempeasem, Essikafo Ambantam No.1 and other areas.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Acqua Vitens Rand Limited, who was acting for and on behalf of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL ) in the Western and Central regions, attributed the problem to two things - interruptions in power supply and the low levels of raw water flowing from the Pra River into the Daboase headworks and the Anokware River to the Inchaban headworks.
“We have no control over the availability of power and raw water, especially the supply of raw water which depends on nature,” he said.
Mr Ampah said as a result of the dry season, the water level of the two rivers had gone down, and that now that the rains had started, the water levels had started building up.
“The water level has started building up with the commencement of the rainy season,” he said, adding that “the only problem has to do with the interruptions in the power supply”.
“When there is a mere five minutes power cut, it takes at least five hours to restore flow of water,” he emphasised.
Therefore, Mr Ampah said, the impact of those problems on water supply was enormous, and stressed that the GWCL enjoyed excellent co-operation with the management of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
He said the pumping machines depended heavily on electricity to function, and they required more pressure to pump raw water from the rivers.
Mr Ampah further explained that if during the pumping of water there was any interruption in power supply, it would take not less than three hours for pressure to build up to an appreciable level in the main pipes extending water from the two stations at Inchaban and Daboase to Sekondi/Takoradi.
He said the GWCL was having discussions with the management of the ECG, and expressed the hope that power supply would stabilise so that “we can pump water continuously”.
The PRO commended ECG for its assistance, especially during power fluctuations.
He said the GWCL had enough materials and spare parts to undertake any emergency repairs.
Mr Ampah took the opportunity to sincerely apologise to the numerous customers for the inconvenience, and expressed the hope that the situation would return to normalcy.
He expressed regret that people were also stealing the company’s meters and metals covering the water chambers.
He, therefore, called on the people to be vigilant and report those found stealing any item belonging to the GCWL.