Residents in parts of the Central Region, especially in the Kwanyako enclave, have been forced to use water from unsafe sources following the shutdown of the Kwanyako Headworks by the Ghana Water Limited (GWL).

The decision was necessary after the company learnt that intake pumps at treatment plants at the headworks had broken down due to heavy silt accumulation.

According to officials, before this challenge, the headworks produced and supplied over 25,000 cubic metres of water per day.

However, production has been halted currently.

Divers who were hired to assess the situation of the pumps underwater have recommended that the pumps be desilted.

Their assessment also recommends dredging of the river.

Meanwhile, officials at the Kwanyako headworks say the dredging would still yield no useful impact should the illegal mining activities continue.