The on-going Kwahu Rigde Water Supply Project in parts of the Eastern Region which seeks to rehabilitate the existing water treatment plant to its installed capacity and expand the intake to produce 3.5 MGD is 90 per cent complete, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Dr. Kweku Agyemang-Mensah, has disclosed.

The project, according to the sector minister, when completed would serve a population of about 170,000 in communities including Abene, Abetifi, Asakraka, Aduamoa, Atibie, Bepong, Tweneduase, Tafo, Mpreaso, Nkwatia, Nteso, Obo, Obomeng, Pepease, Tweneduase, Kotoso, Asempaneye, Hweehwee, Akwasiho, Adi and Suminakese.

Briefing Today on the state of the water supply projects in Ghana, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry Water Resources, Works and Housing (MWRWH), Mr. Abraham Otabil, on behalf of Dr. Agyemang-Mensah asserted that government was committed to providing safe and affordable water to the Ghanaians in both the urban and the rural communities.

According to him, that has informed their decision to initiate various water supply projects nationwide including Konongo and Kwahu Ridge Water Supply System.

Dr. Agyemang-Mensah pointed out that the rehabilitation and expansion of the Konongo Water System was to produce 3.6MGD per day to serve about 190,00 people living in Konogo, Agogo, Domeabra, Hwediem and their adjoining communities in the Ashanti Region.

Currently, he noted that the system produces 295,00 gallons per day which was inadequate.

Throwing more light on the situation of water supply system at Kumawu, he underscored that the 3.5 MGD water supply system was for communities including Besoro, Abotanso, Timate, Kyebi, Atonsu, Woraso, Bomeng, Oyoko and settlements along the transmission pipelines.

He added that the projected population to be served was 170,000, saying the current status of these projects was 80% complete and it was expected to be commissioned in 2016.

According to him, phase I of the Essakyir Water Project currently supplies water to Mfantseman East and Gomoa West Districts in the Central Region.

Dr. Agyemang-Mensah mentioned that the phase II of this project will address deficiencies in the existing distribution network, and extend supply to new areas like Gomoa Maim, Apam, Antseadze, Ekumfi and their surrounding communities in the region.

He disclosed that a new treatment plant with a capacity of 1.7MGD has been constructed in Nsawam, adding that the project includes laying of new transmission pipeline and a 3.5km primary distribution extension.

He noted that the water treatment plant was undergoing test run and production will begin in December 2016.

That, according to Dr. Agyemang-Mensah, will increase water supply to Nsawam to 2.5MGD, stating that the project was far in excess of the water demand for Nsawam and the excess capacity will be released to support Accra.