Acute water shortage hits Kumasi, residents resort to unhygienic water

Residents in most part of Kumasi metropolis are resorting to unhygienic sources of water following a water shortage blamed on unstable power supply to the city’s water treatment sub-station at Barekese dam.

This, according to the Ashanti regional Director for Ghana Water Company Limited, Mr. Sampson Ampah, is due to a minor fault on one of their treatment plants as a result of unstable electricity power supply.

Some of the affected areas include Pankrono, Tech, Ashtown, Suame, Maakro, Tafo, Kronum and their environs.

In an interview on OTEC FM’S political programme ‘DWABREM’, hosted by Agya Owusu Ansah, Mr. Ampah said “immediately the problem started, we called the ECG officials to come and restore the problem of which they quickly adhered to, but because of the damage caused is severe, they are still working on it but I cannot say the exact time they will finish.”

According to him the problem started Wednesday, November 1, in the evening and they have  called the services of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to rectify the situation.

Some of the affected residents who called into the show expressed their anger and frustration, and narrated how they have resulted to unhygienic source of water, like streams, pond, among others, for house chores.

“It has become very difficult doing the house chores, washing and cleaning. Even the water to bath is a problem and we don’t know what the problem is because we cannot continue to endure this,” one frustrated resident told the reporter.

Those who can pay for safe water have spent up to ten times more per liter for water service from private vendors.

Source: otecfmghana.com./ Nana Asare Barimah