Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has announced the shutdown of Bonsa Headworks, a facility responsible for producing 75 per cent of potable water for Tarkwa and its environs.

In a memo issued on Thursday, January 2, the company attributed the closure to massive illegal mining, locally known as galamsey activities on the river Bonsa, which have made it difficult to abstract water for treatment.

GWL explained that the river Bonsa, the primary water source for the plant, has been rendered untreatable.

“We have tried all that we could but to no avail, hence the shutdown,” the memo stated.

The shutdown is expected to significantly impact Tarkwa and its environs, as residents will have to rely on alternative, often less reliable water sources.

The GWL assured the public that the river is being monitored for acceptable water quality parameters and pledged to provide updates on any developments.