The Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) Eastern Region, Kojo Daase has raised serious concerns about the impact of illegal mining on the region’s water supply.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Deide Tettey, Daase explained that the company’s water treatment plants rely heavily on River Birem, which serves as a critical source of raw water for the production of potable water.
However, the PRO highlighted that the situation has become dire due to illegal mining activities along the river. He revealed that the pollution from these activities has severely compromised the quality of the water, making it almost undrinkable
According to Daase, the water treatment plants in the region are not equipped to handle such high levels of pollution. The contaminated water, along with other human activities, has led to frequent breakdowns of the plant’s equipment which are costly to repair, with many parts needing to be imported, placing a financial strain on the operations of GWCL.
“Our plants rely on River Birem as the primary source of raw water for the production and treatment of potable water. However, due to illegal mining activities, we are unable to access fresh water for treatment and distribution to the affected areas. The water quality from the river has deteriorated significantly, with pollution levels as high as that of mud”.
“Our treatment plants are not designed to process such highly polluted water, and the contamination from illegal mining and other human activities is taking a toll. The debris and sediment in the water are causing frequent breakdowns of our equipment, which require costly imports to repair, putting a financial strain on our operations”.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Deborah Amuzu
