Close Your Taps Even When Water Is Not Flowing to Avoid Water Wastage – GWL Advises Consumers
Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has advised consumers in the Obuasi Municipality to keep their taps closed whenever water is not flowing, warning that leaving taps open could lead to water wastage and higher water bills.
According to the Station Manager of the Odaso Water Treatment Plant, Mr Daniel Teye Korblah Ozor, who appeared before the Obuasi Municipal Assembly on Wednesday, leaving the taps open could lead to water being wasted when consumers are unaware of the discharge of water through the distribution and service lines. He added that such wastage, having been captured by the meters, could raise the consumption and bills of customers who did not intentionally consume the water.
“For this reason, customers should always ensure that their taps are closed whenever water is not available. This simple practice can help prevent unnecessary meter readings and possible increases in water bills,” he advised.
He indicated that Ghana Water Ltd. is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that consumers get enough water despite the challenges facing water treatment and transmission to Obuasi and admonished consumers to help conserve water so that all customers can enjoy the precious resource.
Mr Ozor made the remarks when he addressed members of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly during the Second Ordinary Meeting of the Third Session of the Eighth Assembly, where concerns were raised about inconsistent water flow from taps and rising water bills within the municipality.
Responding to questions from Assembly Members, he explained that proper water conservation practices by consumers could help reduce waste and improve the efficiency of the water distribution system.
The Station Manager also expressed concern over the increasing cost of treating water for domestic consumption.
He noted that Ghana Water Ltd continues to spend substantial amounts on treatment chemicals to ensure that water supplied to households meets national drinking water quality standards.
“The water we produce is safe, wholesome and fit for human consumption. However, the cost of producing treated water continues to rise, and we all have a responsibility to avoid wastage,” he said.
Mr Ozor further appealed to residents to promptly report leaking pipelines and burst water mains to the company, explaining that early reporting would reduce water losses, improve service delivery, and lower operational costs.
He also identified illegal mining (galamsey) as one of the major challenges affecting water supply in the municipality. “The turbidity of the source water continues to rise- indicative of continuous pollution, and that means higher dosages of treatment coagulants leading to higher cost of treatment and lower recovery rates of treated water.”
He stressed that protecting water bodies from pollution is a shared responsibility and called on communities, traditional authorities, and all stakeholders to support efforts to safeguard the municipality’s water resources for future generations.
According to him, electricity supply to the station has also affected water treatment and supply in recent days. He stated, however, that GWL has invested in an automatic voltage regulator to address issues of low and high voltages at the station. Other equipment has also been procured and installed to improve water treatment and transmission to Obuasi.
Assembly Members welcomed the clarification provided by Ghana Water Ltd. and urged residents to adopt responsible water usage practices while supporting measures aimed at protecting the environment and conserving the municipality’s water supply.
Ernest Kofi Offen, ISD
Obuasi
