By Kingsley Nana Buadu
The Management of Ghana Water Company in the Central Region says it has been compelled by illegal mining activities upstream of the Pra River to cut down production of water at its Sekyere Hemang Treatment Plant by 30 per cent.
According to the company, the heavy siltation at the intake arriving from the illegal activities has already destroyed two sets of pumps and also created a narrow channel through which water passes into the intake sump.
While conducting journalists around the Sekyere Hemang facility, the Central Regional Manager of the company, Seth Eric Atiapah, explained that the recent intermittent water shortage in parts of the Central region follows the circumstances that are currently being addressed.
The Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant is one of the three major plants serving the people of the Central Region and parts of the Western Region.
For some time now, people in the Cape Coast, North and South, and KEEA have had to endure unbearable frequent water shortages.
To better explain the circumstances leading to that, the company led the media to the facility to learn for themselves the challenges they are confronted with.
In an effort to reduce the impact of the illegal activities on the facility, the company is undertaking dredging exercises at the river and also widening the channel leading to the sump area. Desilting of the sump is also being done.
The sump is the well in which the pumps are cited to pick up the raw water for treatment. Currently, the pump is said to be picking up a lot of mud instead of water.
The Central Regional Manager of Ghana Water, Seth Eric Atiapah, explained how serious the challenge is.
He further explained what is being done to reduce the impact of the illegal activities on the facility and urged people to be patients.
Manager Atiapah again pleaded with authorities to do something about the galamsey activities in the area.
