The Public Relations Manager of Ghana Water Limited, Accra East Region, Nana Yaw Berima Barnie, says the company is rationing water in parts of the region because demand far exceeds the available supply.
He said the situation requires Ghana Water Limited to supply some communities on specific days to ensure that available water is shared among customers.
Speaking to Isaac Addae on Morning Starr on Starr FM, Nana Yaw Berima Barnie said the Accra East Region does not have serious water problems, but demand for water remains significantly higher than supply.
“Demand far outstrips the supply of water,” he said.
He explained that under the rationing arrangement, some communities receive water on designated days.
Mr Barima Barnie cited Kokomlemle as an example, saying residents in the area are supplied with water on Thursdays and Sundays.
He said the supply schedule can, however, be affected when the company has to undertake maintenance or repair works on its equipment and pipelines.
According to him, Ghana Water Limited informs customers when planned works are expected to affect their supply and advises them to store water ahead of such interruptions.
Mr Barima Barnie also linked the challenges facing water supply to the increasing cost of treating raw water.
He said Ghana’s water sources have become polluted, making the treatment process more expensive for Ghana Water Limited.
He explained that the company previously used aluminium sulphate to treat raw water, but the level of pollution has made the chemical less effective for treating the water being abstracted.
“We have to go in for a chemical called polyelectrolyte, which is far more expensive than the aluminium sulphate,” he said.
He said the increased cost of water treatment makes the payment of water bills particularly important because Ghana Water Limited relies on its internally generated funds to finance its operations.
Mr Barima Barnie said the company uses the revenue from water bills to pay salaries and purchase chemicals, pipes, fuel and other materials needed to provide water to customers.
He therefore urged customers to pay their water bills promptly, warning that unpaid bills make it difficult for the company to meet its operational costs.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Benedicta Yayra Gawu
