President of the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers, Magnus Nunoo, says the most effective method for treating water contaminated with heavy metals is through reverse osmosis systems.

He warned that the increasing turbidity and contamination levels, exacerbated by illegal mining, are making water treatment increasingly costly and challenging.

Mr Nunoo outlined the process for ensuring water quality and explained that before water can be certified, it must pass tests for clarity, pathogens, and heavy metals.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, he said, “Before you get a number, we run a test and that includes heavy metals, and you will be given the number and certification only if your water goes through all these three parameters of testing which is clarity, pathogens and heavy metals.”

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“We are pleading to all those involved in illegal mining because it is not helping anyone and it is becoming more expensive to treat water now,” he said on September 16.

He explained that when dealing with water, the high turbidity levels can quickly clog reverse osmosis systems, rendering them ineffective and costly to replace.

“If we are using Ghana water and the turbidity is so high, these reverse osmosis systems block that easily and they are irreversible and very expensive. We are feeling the pinch but we cannot change. We cannot go any less than we have been asked to do.”

“This galamsey must stop. Whatever we have to do to stop it, we must do it. We process water and we are feeling it. The turbidity levels are so high. If the heavy metals are so high, then it means that if my reverse osmosis must go six months, I am using it for two months and it is so expensive.”

Mr Nunoo also addressed regulatory measures, noting that all sachet and bottled water producers must comply with strict registration and certification requirements.

“Anybody who has been authorised to produce sachet water and his facility have been certified and registered, we are talking to them to have a number plate up on their doors. This is a number plate provided by FDA/GSA and then you place it on your door or production facility,” he said.