Cape Coast Water Situation Worsens

The month-long water shortage affecting the Cape Coast Municipality and its environs continues to worsen due to the persistent drop in the level of water in the Brimsum Dam.

Mr Kweku Dovlo, the Central Region Manager of the Ghana Water Company Limited, said that the level of water in the dame was still falling at a rate of three inches per day.

As at Wednesday May 19, the water level was below 12 feet, which is the minimum level required for the operation of the pumping station. They maximum operating level is 24 feet. The situation has forced GWCL to cut its production to just 25 per cent of the 3.5 million gallons of water that are needed daily.

As a result, the utility has had to begin rationing the supply of water to residents of Cape Coast. In an interview with the Times on Wednesday, May 19, Mr Dovlo said GWCL had provided 20 ?Polytanks? for water storage to add to the ones provided by the Municipal Assembly. These tanks had been positioned at vantage points for the convenience of residents. He said that about 30 water tankers would also be provided to transport water from nearby alternative sources.

Most Cape Coast residents have resorted to drawing water from wells. On measures being taken to address the problem in the medium term, Mr Dovlo said that the reservoir behind the Brimsu Dam would be dredged thoroughly before the end of this year. The cost of the dredging exercise, which is estimated at 1.5 million U.S. dollars, would be borne as part of the World Bank-funded Urban Priority Works Project.

He said in addition, a completely new water treatment plant would be constructed on the River Pra. The capacity of this new plant would meet the project demand for water until the year 2050.