The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in Yendi, in the Northern Region, has closed its water treatment plant in the town.

The shut down follows the low level of the Dakar River where raw water is taken for the production drinking water for thousands of residents.

The situation has compelled the residents to buy water at higher prices from private companies.

Those who are unable to buy the expensive water resort to untreated sources of water.

Joy News Northern Region Correspondent, Hashmin Mohammed,  says the low volume of water from the river has made it impossible for the GWCL machines to draw enough volume for treatment.

Erratic rainfall patterns in the Northern Region have been attributed to the low water volumes from the Dakar River.

Yendi Municipal Production Manager of the GWCL, Adam Sayibu, says residents will have to endure the water shortage until the rains come.

Mr Sayibu said some of the strainers – the machines that draw the river water for treatment – are drawing mud, shortening their lifespan.

Meanwhile, traditional authorities in the area a urging the government to fulfil its promise to resolve the water situation in the area.