Water Shortage Hits Cape Coast As GWCL Blame It On Galamsey Activities
Tricia
Water shortage has hit the Cape Coast and surrounding towns in Central Region due to illegal mining activities affecting the River Pra. According to the Ghana Water Company, the residents now hunt for water as the taps have run dry and this is because the Sekyere-Hemang water treatment plant also keeps battling for water with
the galamsey miners. The residents say water has not passed through all their taps for many days; making life unbearable for them. The treatment plant in the Western region built in 2008 at a cost of €40 million takes water
Galamsey activity
from a portion of the 240km Pra River and treats it for onward pumping into Brimsu waterworks in Cape coast. From the waterworks, about 2million gallons of water will then be pumped for residents in Cape Coast and its environs. This is on a daily basis. The Cape Coast and its environs also hold about 300,000 residents and the
consequence of the galamsey activities is at least half of the city and its environs also going without water. According to the Ghana Water Company, the river’s waterbed is left unsettled whiles poisonous chemicals are drained into the river. Central Regional distribution Manager of GWCL Thomas Amenya explains that the
galamsey activities have made siltation and turgidity checks very difficult. We are having very low levels at the Sekyere Hemang Headworks as a result of heavy siltation (due to illegal mining activities). We are also compelled to occasionally shut down to do desilting to enable us build requisite levels, he explained. He also
indicated that as a result, Cape Coast and its environs may be experiencing no or low flow at a point and also wants residents to bear with them. Mr. Amenya further avers; Lack of constant supply from Sekyere Hermang Headworks to augment that of the Brimsu Headworks means almost 40% shortfall in the total production
volumes for Cape Coast township. He is therefore entreating residents to bear with the company whiles measures are put in place to resolve the production challenges.
