Ghana Urban Water likely to shut down Obuasi plant due to galamsey
The Ghana Urban Water Limited (GUWL) has warned of possible closure of the Odaso Water Treatment Plant if immediate measures were not taken to prevent illegal mining activities around the catchment area of the Oda River.
The plant is the main supplier of treated water to communities in the Obuasi Municipal area and the Amansie Central District.
Mr. Charles Tulashie, Ashanti Regional Manager in-charge of Water Quality Assurance of GUWL, said the rate of pollution of the Oda River, which supplies water to the plant, was becoming unbearable and if immediate steps were not taken by the local authorities, the plant would be forced to shut down by March.
He was speaking at a meeting with the leadership of the two district assemblies and security agents to discuss the issue and design strategies to combat illegal mining activities around the catchment area to save the river from further deterioration.
Mr Tulashie described as disturbing the current water colour of the Oda River that stands at 14000Hz and this is more than the approved standard of 200Hz.
He blamed mining activities by Chinese small scale miners and other illegal miners who had invaded the catchment area of the river and polluting it without any regard to the safety of the water bodies and other environmental and natural resources in the area.
Mr Tulashie said as at December last year, the plant was able to produce 2,310m³of water as against 5,383.33 m³ produced in January, the same year adding that the Company spent about GH¢22,540 to procure chemicals to treat the water instead of GH¢13,453.68 used in January.
Mr. Robert Bennett Forkuoh, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie Central, called for greater collaboration between the security agencies in the two districts to clamp down on illegal mining activities to save the river from further pollution.
He said it was a collective responsibility of all concerned residents to assist in solving the problem since water was crucial in the life of the people.
Mr. John Alexander Ackon, the Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive, assured the security agencies of maximum support and asked them to come out with strategies that could lead to the arrest of those whose activities are responsible for the pollution of the river.
He described the water situation in the Obuasi municipality as very bad, and said for the past three months water had not been flowing in the taps.
Source: GNA