A water crisis in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis in the Western region has been traced to activities of a quarry company.

The company has cited its activities on the Anankore river which is the main source of water for the Ghana Water company’s treatment plant in Intchaban.

The result – 4million gallons of water pumped per day has dropped sharply – to 1.4million gallons per day.

The effect, more than 400,000 residents in the metropolis have been grappling with persistent water shortage for more than a month.

This was unravelled after Ghana Water company officials began to investigate the sharp dwindling production in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis.

Officials visited the Anankore river and found to their dismay, unbridled quarrying affecting their operations, Western regional correspondent Ina-Thali Quansah reported.

Western Regional director Ghana Water Company, Engineer Mark Teiko Cudjoe called the quarrying activities in the river, a “national security” issue.

The GWC in the Western region supplies water for industrial use to the Western regional power enclave which supplies power.

”If this situation goes on without redress, it is very likely the dam level will go down and the obvious problem is, we may have to suspend operations”, he told the reporter.

The Osamdoduo quarry company has been winning sand and excavating rocks from the river bed and using dynamite for blasting.

The water quality has become turgid which increases significantly the cost of purifying the water for consumption.

According to the reporter, GWC warned the owner of the quarry company to desist from exploiting the water source but work has continued unabated.

She reported the GWC has complained to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Regional Coordinating Council and the police.

There are reports the owner has been arrested. But this is yet to be confirmed.

Engineer Mark Teiko Cudjoe called on authorities to bring the contractor of the quarry to book and to take remedial measures to ensure the river is revived.