Obuasi Water Crisis Worse Due to ECG Power Cuts, Says Ghana Water Company

The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has appealed to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to address the Obuasi water crisis, which has been exacerbated by frequent power cuts.

Mr. Ebenezer Padi, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ashanti Region Ghana Water Company, disclosed this during the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) end-of-year party held at Golden Bean Hotel in Kumasi.

According to Mr. Padi, residents of Obuasi have gone without access to potable water for over a month due to the challenges faced by the water company.

He attributed the main cause of the challenge to the devastating impact of illegal mining, or galamsey, on water treatment plants, coupled with ECG’s power cuts.

Galamsey has led to severe contamination of raw water sources, forcing GWCL to shift from traditional alum treatment to expensive imported polymers, driving chemical costs up.

The frequent power cuts by ECG have further compounded the problem, making it difficult for the company to treat and distribute water to the community.

“The situation is dire, and we appeal to ECG to help us address the power issue so we can restore water supply to the people of Obuasi,” Mr. Padi said.

He urged the general public to pay their bills debt, emphasizing that the company needs financial support to address the crisis.

The Obuasi water crisis highlights the broader environmental and economic toll of galamsey, which has been linked to the contamination of major river bodies across Ghana. The GWCL has warned that the situation could lead to severe water shortages and public health risks nationwide if not addressed urgently.

The PURC end-of-year party provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss issues affecting the utility sector, including the challenges faced by GWCL in providing potable water to communities.