GWCL spends $6.5m to improve 15km water distribution network

The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), according to its Managing Director (MD), Ing. Dr Clifford Braimah, has spent over $6.5m on improving its water distribution network across the country.

The $6.5m cost, the MD of GWCL speaking at a media briefing and exhibition themed “Accounting to Our Customers” on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, was drawn from the company’s internally generated fund (IGF).

According to Ing Dr Braimah, the cost covered works on the company’s 15km metre and pipeline distribution network across the country.

Additionally, some 662km of water extensions were laid throughout the country.

“Improvement works on our distribution network also involved the installation of 14 Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVRs) at the cost of GHS 12.3m,” he added.

Non-revenue water decline to 42.5%

Speaking further at the media briefing and exhibition, Ing Dr Braimah remarked that percentage of non-revenue water to GWCL has been on the decline since 2017.

According to him, non-revenue water has declined from 55% in 2017 to 42.5% as at the first quarter of 2022, and is further projected to decline to 34% by 2025.

Non-revenue water the MD explained, refers to the amount of water produced and distributed throughout the country which does not generate revenue for the GWCL.

Major factors contributing to non-revenue water the MD revealed, were leakages and commercial losses (illegal connections).

Challenges of GWCL

Some challenges bedevilling the operations of GWCL, Ing Dr Braimah highlighted include illegal mining (both sand and mineral mining), illegal water connections, destruction of water pipelines by contractors among others.

“Addressing these challenges results in the increase in costs of production and that is likely to influence our tariffs proposed to the PURC,” stated the MD encouraging the public to report persons that engage in illegal water connections and mining.

Launch of Water Safety Plans Policy

Ing Dr Braimah, during the event, launched the Water Safety Policy aimed at promoting and ensuring the production of high quality drinking water in the country.

To ensure the effectiveness of the Policy, the GWCL will be working collaboratively with relevant government agencies as well as national and international stakeholders to:

• Prepare and implement Water Safety Plans for each of its drinking water supply systems.

• Investigate and implement new water treatment and distribution system techniques and technologies to improve water quality.

• Undertake both regular monitoring of the quality of drinking water at barriers and reporting to very compliance with the regulatory requirements and promote confidence in drinking water supplies and their management.