The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has reduced water supply to residents in Cape Coast, the Central Regional capital, and its surrounding communities from 18,000 cubic meters to 9,000 cubic meters.
The 50 percent reduction in water supply is a recurring issue exacerbated by climate change, customer indebtedness, and human activities, particularly farming along riverbanks.
More than 300,000 residents have been severely affected, with many trekking long distances in search of water, often from unhygienic sources.
Nana Yaw Barima Barnie, the Central and Western Regional Public Relations Officer of GWCL, said the company was struggling with the combined effects of the dry season and increased demand.
He dismissed rumors of facility breakdowns and assured residents that water intake and supply would improve with the onset of the rains.
“Our machines have not broken down, as speculated, but we are experiencing low water intake and supply. We have long advised people to stop cutting down trees along the riverbanks, but to no avail.
“We understand that access to water is a human rights issue. However, we remain committed to our mandate of ensuring hygienic water supply at all times,” he said.
Barnie also highlighted the issue of customer indebtedness, which has severely hindered the company’s operations and its ability to provide consistent water services.
He expressed concern over the widespread non-payment of water bills, noting that over 50 percent of customers fail to pay regularly. This has placed significant financial strain on GWCL, prompting the company to consider legal action against defaulters.
Barnie urged customers to use the e-billing system to pay their bills promptly to enable the company to serve them better.
Meanwhile, some residents told the Ghana News Agency that they have been forced to purchase water from private vendors at exorbitant rates. Some families reportedly spend GHC80 on just eight gallons of water every five days.
Madam Sabina Amoah, a resident, shared that the lack of water supply has put a financial strain on her already limited income, negatively affecting her health and hygiene. She often resorts to unsafe water sources or bottled water due to the unreliability of public supply.
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