The Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has uncovered over 2,700 illegal water connections in the Accra-Tema Metropolitan area alone between the last quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.

These include unauthorised service lines, bypass of customer meters, several reconnections made by customers after lawful disconnections for nonpayment of bills.

According to the water distribution company, accessing potable water through illegal means is increasing alarmingly nationwide with its strenuous effects on their operations.

The situation is depriving the company of revenue, straining existing infrastructure, and affecting the ability to invest in system upgrades and expansion for fair and sustainable service delivery.

These illegal activities include but not limited to bypassing meters, direct tapping into pipelines, use of inline pumping equipment and growing theft of water meters, amongst others.

The company says these unlawful activities have significantly increased between late 2024 and mid-2025.

In response, the GWL is scaling up its nationwide revenue enhancement and enforcement campaign aimed at curbing such practices and safeguarding Ghana’s water supply.

“In recent months, thousands of unauthorized connections have been reported in all our operational areas. This contributes to loss of Revenue because water produced, transmitted, and distributed cannot be ‘accounted for’ by GWL, due to theft, leakages, or unmetered usage,” Adam Mutawakilu, Managing Director of GWL, noted.

Water Theft

The water company recounted the widely reported case of a water theft at Power Land near Ritz Junction, Agbogba Road in the Greater Accra region where the property had three water service lines, out of which only one had a meter.

The other two supplied tanker operators, circumventing the entire billing system. The setup included large underground reservoirs concealed behind a wall.

Meter Theft

While unauthorised connections draw attention, the theft of water meters is quietly draining GWL’s operational resources. These devices, essential for exact billing and consumption monitoring and measurement, have become prime targets for theft.

Since the beginning of 2025 alone, thousands of water meters have been reported stolen nationwide.

“These ultrasonic meters are expensive to replace. Beyond the financial cost, meter theft creates unmetered water loss, disrupts services to households, and wastes thousands of gallons of treated water. Meter theft is an economic crime with real consequences for both the utility and customers,” Adam Mutawakilu, the Managing Director, explained.

The GWL says it is working closely with the Police to investigate and prosecute offenders.

“We are treating this with the seriousness it deserves. Every meter stolen is a loss that delays our progress toward full metering and smarter water management,” he added.

Regions Rise to the Task

GWL’s regional teams have stepped up enforcement activities, reflecting a unified front across the country. From Accra to Kumasi and Tamale, illegal users are being found, engaged, and, where necessary, prosecuted.

In Accra West, the company started legal action against over 800 users who failed to take advantage of a grace period to regularise their service.

The Ashanti Region has also recorded significant enforcement activity as five individuals were arrested in areas including Denyame, Dakodwom, Kwadaso Estate, and Santasi Apire for unlawfully tapping into GWL pipelines.

Together, the culprits were surcharged which has already been recovered.

Law and Accountability

While enforcement stays firm, the GWL says it is consistently promoting a balanced approach — one that allows offenders to correct their actions while applying the law where necessary.

“Before resorting to legal action, we issue notices, extend grace periods, and educate the public on proper procedures. Unfortunately, when people choose to disregard these measures, we have no option but to apply the law,” says Mr. Mutawakilu, the Managing Director, said.

He further states that GWL is committed to recovering commercial losses and is currently assessing the financial implications of each detected illegal connection.

“We are equally focused on internal accountability. If any staff are found complicit, they will face administrative and legal action,” Hon. Adam Mutawakilu warns.

Public Partnership and Education

Beyond enforcement, GWL believes that lasting progress lies in building a culture of responsibility around water use. The company has intensified its public education campaigns to promote lawful access to water and encourage reporting of illegal activities.

GWL is also exploring community-based partnerships in areas identified as hotspots. In such areas, the utility is considering incentive schemes to encourage whistleblowers to come forward with credible information on illegal activities.
Looking Ahead

Despite the scale of the challenge, GWL is optimistic about the road ahead. Strategic investments in upgrade of infrastructure, smart metering systems, digital billing, and leakage control are already in progress.

Mr. Adam says: “Our objective goes beyond catching offenders; we’re building a smarter, more resilient water system, one that ensures fairness, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.”

“It is not a fight GWL can win alone. We need everyone, citizens, policymakers, community leaders, and the media, to come together. Every stolen litre of water affects someone else’s supply,” Mr. Adam noted.