The Ghana Water and Sewerage Company Limited (GWSCL) has attributed the water crisis that rocked major cities of the country a few months ago to intermittent power cuts. The Chief Manager in charge of production at the Kpong Water Treatment Plant, Mr. Ebenezer Gambrah said apart from other logistical and technical constraints, intermittent power cuts by the Volta River Authority (VRA) was the major obstacle hampering the flow of water through the pipelines to some parts of Accra and Tema. Speaking during a fact-finding tour by commissioners from the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to ascertain the state of the water utility at the site, he noted that even the slightest power interruption within a few minutes could delay the flow of water for about 24 hours, adding that the problem was not about inadequate water. Mr. Gambrah bemoaned the lack of expansion and rehabilitation works at the site saying, “It may interest you to know that this site has never seen expansion since its construction in 1965”. He said the Kpong Treatment Plant, which produces 36 million gallons of water and contributes about 52 percent of supply to Accra and Tema, was only rehabilitated in 1995 and that such a move did not augur well for the nation. The Chief Manager indicated that it was becoming increasingly difficult to provide constant supply of fresh water due to Ghana’s rising population which now stands at 22 million. Mr. Gambrah stated that despite these challenges the quality and treatment of the water at Kpong was very promising as the plant was able to use chlorine gas to treat the water rather than the harder aluminium sulphates which some plants resort to. The reason for this, he said, was because the water was extracted from the Volta’s flowing river sources rather than constructed dams. He said the site hosts two water treatment plants, Old and New. Due to lack of funds, the plant was only rehabilitated in 1995 with the equipment being replaced by a similar capacity rather than upgrading and expanding the plant to cope with the imminent increase in demand. Mr. Gambrah said the site was currently working at 94 percent capacity with the old plant supplying one main pipeline while the new plant was working at a capacity of 88 percent. At the Tema GWSCL Booster station, the Acting Regional Chief, Mr. Jacob Yendor said with a customer strength of 51,500 and an average revenue of GH¢1.6 million, his outfit had had to grapple with myriad of an unaccounted water losses and that they had to resort to water rationing to some catchment areas. He said due to population increase and a steady stream of demands for water especially by factories at the area, his outfit had embarked upon effective campaign of advising its customers on the need to store water in reservoirs as a pre-emptive measure to reduce the scale of impact of the crisis. Mr. Yendor said the Free Zone enclaves, which was about 54 feet high, was a source of worry to his outfit, stressing that a booster pump needed to be installed to be able to “push high” the water to surrounding areas. He mentioned aged pipes, leakages and other logistical problems. A commissioner of PURC, Andrew Quayson, expressed worry about the inability of the company to quantify the amount of unaccounted water losses and other institutional impediments. He said it would be in the interest of the company to be able to provide efficient and effective water supply to its customers. Mr. Quayson said the PURC would continue to ensure that effective and efficient utility services were provided in the country and an acceptable amount charged for it. Source: Daily Guide