Correspondence from the Western Region

At a time when plastic waste continues to choke cities and waterways, a new initiative from the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) is taking a different approach, one that goes beyond recycling and directly targets the source of the problem.

The e-Water Booth project, developed by the Geological Engineering Department, is not just about providing drinking water. It seeks to redesign how water is accessed, sold, and consumed, while creating a system that is both environmentally and economically sustainable.

While the project’s environmental goal is clear, reducing dependence on single-use plastics, Project Manager Daniel Adu-Gyamfi insists the real innovation lies elsewhere.

“We are not selling water,” he explains. “We are building the system that allows water to be sold sustainably.”

Instead of operating the booths themselves, the project team focuses on designing, installing, and handing over the facilities to vendors, much like building a fully equipped shop and allowing an entrepreneur to run it.

Speaking to GhanaWeb’s Western Regional Correspondent, Thomas Tetteh, the Project Manager noted that this model shifts responsibility and opportunity to local operators, turning the initiative into a platform for small businesses rather than a centralised service.

Tackling plastic waste at its source

Plastic pollution, particularly from sachet and bottled water, remains a major environmental challenge in Ghana.

According to Daniel Adu-Gyamfi, the e-Water Booth addresses this by eliminating single-use plastics entirely. Water is dispensed only into reusable containers or biodegradable cups, aligning with global sustainability efforts often highlighted during World Water Day.

The booths are built around three core principles: eco-friendliness, which reduces plastic waste; energy efficiency, powered by renewable sources such as solar; and economic accessibility, providing affordable drinking water.

Designed for convenience and scale

To match the speed and accessibility of sachet water, the system is engineered for efficiency. Each booth allows multiple users to fetch water simultaneously, minimising waiting time.

The infrastructure includes several dispensing units operating at once, ensuring demand can be met even in busy locations.

The first prototype has been installed on the UMaT campus in Tarkwa, with plans to expand across hostels, mining communities, and public spaces if successful.

Strategic partnerships over complexity

At its current stage, the project avoids the complexities of producing its own water. Instead, it partners with FDA-approved suppliers to guarantee safety and quality.

According to Adu-Gyamfi, this decision helps sidestep regulatory hurdles tied to water production, such as certification and continuous testing.

He added that one supplier, So Nice Drinking Water, has already committed to providing six months of free water, supporting the vision and reducing startup costs.

Looking ahead, the team is considering producing its own water, but only after establishing the necessary quality assurance systems.

Turning disruption into opportunity

Rather than displacing sachet water sellers, the project aims to integrate them into the new system. Vendors, many of whom rely on selling bottled or sachet water, can operate the booths, earning income in a more structured and potentially stable environment.

“This is particularly significant for women, who dominate the informal water vending sector,” the Project Manager said.

By transitioning these traders into booth operators, the project seeks to balance environmental goals with job creation and economic inclusion.

A test case for sustainable innovation

Adu-Gyamfi noted that what makes the e-Water Booth stand out is its combination of technology, business strategy, and social awareness.

“It does not just propose an environmental fix; it offers a replicable model that could reshape water vending across campuses, industries, and communities,” he added.

By focusing on systems rather than products, the project redefines sustainability as something that must work economically, socially, and environmentally at the same time.

Daniel Adu-Gyamfi also expressed appreciation to AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine for its support in bringing the e-Water Booth idea to fruition.

For now, the initiative remains in its early stages. However, if successful, UMaT may not only reduce plastic waste on campus but also set a new standard for how water is delivered.