Weija Water Works to be completed mid-year

Pg 58 (lead) Jan 28/2008

Story: Charles Benoni Okine

THE expansion works on the Weija Head Works to supply an additional 15 million gallons of water daily to the people of Accra will be completed by the middle of this year.
The project, dubbed the ‘West/East Link’, is to increase the water supply in Accra from the present average production of 90 million gallons a day to 105 million gallons.
The Communications Manager of Aqua Vitens Rand Limited (AVRL), operators of the country’s urban water systems, Mr Stanley Martey, told the Daily Graphic that similar projects in the other regions such as Brimsu, Sekyere Hemang, Baifikrom and Kwanyako all in the Central Region, Dalun in the Northern Region and Barekese in the Ashanti Region were ongoing to improve water supply to the urban areas of the country.
Supply of potable water in the urban parts of the country has been a major challenge to the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in recent times as a result of the inability of the company to expand its facilities to meet the growing demand for water.
The present demand for water in Accra alone stands at more than 140 million gallons a day. The population of Accra is also said to be growing at about four per cent per annum while the water supply only increases at less than 2 per cent per annum.
The Communications Manager said the company was concerned about the serious impact of the water situation on the country and gave the assurance that “we are working round the clock with the GWCL and the Ministry of Water resources, Works and Housing to undertake programmes aimed at improving water delivery in the country.
Mr Martey said boreholes were being drilled and mechanised at Taifa, Dome, Pokuase, Tantra Hills, Ashongman and Agbogba, all in Accra; Berekum and Nsuatre in the Brong Ahafo Region; Wa in the Upper East and locations in the Volta and Western regions.
He explained that all these were being done to improve the intermittent water shortages and delivery situations in parts of Accra and other parts of the country.
Mr Martey cautioned consumers on the use of water during the dry season, saying that any reckless use of water was bound to create shortages.
“It must be emphasised that during this season, a number of consumers resort to the use of treated water for keeping lawns green and commercial washing of vehicles, among others,” he said.
Mr Martey stated further that “with the onset of the harmattan and the dry season, there have been some interruptions with water supply and rationing programme in Accra and some parts of the country”.
He said it was also during this period that the harvest of rain water was not possible, hence the resort to treated water for all manner of activities.
Mr Martey said in the event, there was pressure on the limited water available, which causes low pressure and no flow in some areas, particularly areas located on high elevations.
He said it would serve the interest of all if consumers would cease the watering of their lawns and washing of their vehicles with treated water.
Mr Martey asked consumers to shut all taps when not in use, repair leakages in their homes, check overflowing reservoirs and dripping taps and report all person who illegally connect water to their homes.