The Ghana Water Company limited has held preliminary discussions with Electrolytic Technologies, a US based company in the hope of producing on-site chlorine for Ghana’s water systems.

If a deal is reached the company will produce, chlorine in Ghana at a centralized system at the Ghana Water Company for distribution to all treatment plants across the country.

Currently, the Ghana Water Company imports the chlorine it uses to purify the water it produces for consumers in Ghana.

In the Accra Region alone, which covers eight districts and communities like Korle Bu, Chorkor Russia, Mamprobi, Weija, McCarthy Hill, etc., six tonnes of chlorine is needed to produce at least 560,000m3 of water per week.

However, President of Electrolytic technologies Derek Lubie said their technology is capable of producing 22 tonnes of chlorine per day at a relatively affordable price.

Chlorine is instrumental in the production of water for domestic consumption. It is a highly efficient disinfectant added to public water supplies to kill disease-causing pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoans that commonly grow in water supply reservoirs.

The benefits notwithstanding, chlorine on its own can be toxic to the human body.  It is toxic enough to be a chemical weapon and categorized as a “choking agent”. Inhalation of chlorine gas can cause difficulty breathing, chest pains, cough, eye irritation, increased heartbeat, rapid breathing, and death. Exposure to chlorine can be a very traumatic experience.

Derek Lubie told a team of Ghana Water Company which includes the Managing Director Ing. Dr Clifford Braimah, his deputy in charge of Operations Ing. Jacob Z Yendor and Deputy MD in charge of F&A, Remy Bonpira Puoru, his company’s technology will provide the safest chlorine onsite and at a cheaper price.

 Ing. Dr Clifford Braimah, R, Remy Bonpira Puoru

Explaining the necessity to have an on-site chlorine manufacturing technology in Ghana, Lubie said his technology will “eliminate the risk of accidental chlorine exposure to nearby population” in the event of a leakage.

“On-site generation systems allow water and waste water utilities to control their own destiny by using a preferred disinfection product without safety or supply,” he added.

He assured his technology has been certified by NSF International, a testing, inspection and certification, organisation and hoped to provide chlorine to the Ghana Water Company under safe conditions.

Admitting that on-site chlorine manufacturing technologies are generally good, an official with the Ghana Water Company raised issues about the durability of Electrolytic Technologies.

According to him, the Ghana Water Company used on-site chlorine manufacturing technology in the early 90s but they broke down in a short time due to persistent power outages.

He wondered if the technology from Electrolytic Technologies will survive the Ghanaian terrain.

Lubie assured his outfit’s technology is fit for purpose.

The Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company Dr Clifford Braimah told journalists after the meeting his team will peruse thoroughly the proposal by Electrolytic Technologies and take a decision.

He said his outfit’s major concern is to produce water at a cheaper cost and welcomed any proposal that will lead to the achievement of that objective.