GWL Kwanyarko Headworks at Risk of Closure from High Turbidity

Water Supply Crisis at Kwanyarko Headworks

The Kwanyarko Headworks, operated by the Ghana Water Limited (GWL) in the Central Region, is facing a serious threat of shutdown due to dangerously high turbidity levels in the Ayensu River. This issue has raised concerns about the sustainability of water supply for over 30 districts in the region.

According to the Acting Managing Director of GWL, Mr Adam Mutawakilu, the plant's operations are being severely impacted by the rising turbidity. The water quality has exceeded the design capacity of the equipment, which was intended to handle up to 2,500 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU). However, recent readings have shown levels as high as 32,000 NTU, far beyond the acceptable limit.

"Last week, turbidity reached 32,000 NTU, and today it's around 11,000. That means we're operating at nearly five times the acceptable level," he explained during a recent visit to the site. He emphasized that such high turbidity not only affects the quality of treated water but also risks damaging the plant’s equipment, potentially leading to a complete shutdown.

A complete shutdown would have severe consequences, depriving millions of residents in areas like Winneba, Swedru, and Kasoa of their primary water source. To mitigate this risk, GWL has adopted an intermittent production strategy, running the plant when turbidity levels drop and shutting it down when they spike. While this approach is inconvenient, it is necessary to protect the equipment and maintain some level of service.

One of the main contributors to the increased turbidity is illegal mining activities upstream. Mr Mutawakilu stated that the company is collaborating with its regional office to use drones to identify the exact sources of pollution. "We need to back our claims with evidence. By sending drones upstream, we can pinpoint the locations of illegal mining and then take action with the relevant authorities," he said.

He stressed that without urgent intervention to address the pollution at its source, the Kwanyarko Headworks could face operational collapse, affecting thousands of households and institutions across the region.

Challenges in Accra's Water Supply

In addition to the issues at Kwanyarko, the Acting MD also addressed disruptions in water supply in Accra. These problems were attributed to ongoing repair works at the Kpone and Weija treatment plants. Some of the equipment at Kpone dates back to 1965, while parts of Weija still rely on outdated asbestos pipelines, which are prone to leaks.

"At Weija, we had a major leakage in one of our large pipes, and at Dodowa Booster Station, some power cables got burnt. These issues required immediate attention. As of today, both Kpone and Weija are fully operational, and we are ramping up water production to restore supply to Accra and surrounding areas," Mr Mutawakilu assured.

Despite these efforts, the broader challenge remains the mismatch between demand and supply in Accra. The current daily demand is approximately 220 million gallons, while the production capacity stands at just 140 million gallons. This leaves a deficit of about 80 million gallons each day.

Mr Mutawakilu highlighted that GWL is actively engaging with the government to secure new treatment plants and replace aging infrastructure. These steps are crucial to addressing the long-term challenges of water supply in the region and ensuring a reliable and sustainable water source for all residents.