Owabi 75% blocked, Barekese loses 40% capacity as siltation & plastics threaten the water crisis in 2 years
Owabi Treatment Plant is 75% blocked and Barekese Dam has lost about 40% capacity due to siltation and plastic pollution. The management of Ghana Water Limited warns that thousands of homes could face serious water shortages within the next two years without urgent dredging and stronger protection of water bodies. The Owabi Treatment Plant processes about 36 million gallons of water daily.
Dr. Hanson Mensah-Akutteh, the Chief Manager of the Ashanti Production Region of Ghana Water Limited, expressed concern, stating, "This is even more serious because the volume that is now left on the surface of the reservoir is just small, and this cannot even take us to a year if there is a serious climate variability." Ghana Water Limited attributes the development to rapid encroachment along the banks of the water bodies, including settlement and farming activities. Adam Mutawakilu, the Managing Director of Ghana Water, bemoaned the state of the facility and assured of urgent action to save the plants from total collapse. He added, "The Barekese dam has a gauge at deep, middle and top levels. Currently, we can't extract water from the deeper part."
Adam Mutawakilu indicated, "There is at least revenue for the dredging, based on which we have requested commitment authorisation from the finance ministry. I hope that it will be approved on time so that we can kickstart the dredging". A special national security taskforce is expected around the water bodies to safeguard them from any encroachment.
Quick Summary
Water treatment plants in the Ashanti Region are struggling with siltation and plastic pollution- threatening water supply to the Greater Kumasi metropolis. Officials warn that thousands of homes could face serious water shortages within the next two years if action isn't taken.
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