Review ration system to ensure fair water distribution - Northern Regional Minister directs GWL

The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, has directed Ghana Water Limited (GWL) to urgently revise its water rationing system in Tamale and its environs to ensure fair distribution and ease the ongoing water crisis.

He expressed concern over the dire situation and said he had received numerous complaints and threats from the public who are dissatisfied with the frequent water shortages.

“The rationing method must improve so that within a week or two, every household in and around Tamale has access to water.

“Our people are suffering, particularly during Ramadan, they are struggling to access water for household chores and religious activities,” he stated.

Water crisis

Mr John issued the directive when he met officials of GWL to discuss measures to resolve the water crisis and prevent planned protests by some residents of the metropolis.

As part of efforts to understand the challenges, the minister visited the Nawuni Water Treatment Plant to assess the water treatment and distribution process.

For the past weeks, the GWL has been rationing water to residents of Tamale and its environs following emergency repair works on its transmission pipelines.
Established in 1972, the Tamale Water System has only undergone one major expansion in 2008.

The recent water crisis has, therefore, been attributed to ageing infrastructure and a rapidly growing population that has outpaced the system’s supply capacity.

Accusation, measures

Mr John said that some residents had accused the officials of  GWL of diverting water to tanker operators for profit, urging management to step up measures to address such concerns.

For his part, the Northern Regional Production Manager of GWL, Engineer Albert W. Nyeteng, acknowledged the minister’s concerns and explained that the water demand had outstripped supply, exacerbating the crisis.

“Tamale requires 90,000 to 95,000 cubic metres of water per day, but currently, we can only produce 35,000 to 38,000 cubic metres,” he stated.

Additionally, he cited an emergency involving a 700mm transmission pipeline fault, which had temporarily worsened the supply shortage.

However, he assured residents that GWL was implementing measures to boost water delivery, including restoring the functionality of a 20,000 cubic metre reservoir at Kukuo Yapalsi, to improve pressure and replace faulty valves, as well as install new ones in the distribution network for better rationing.

Writer’s email: mohammed.fugu@graphic.com.gh