We Are On Course To Meet The Daily Demand Of Potable Water Supply To All Our Customers— GWCL MD Assures Ghanaians

GHANA Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), the utility company fully owned by the state, has indicated its readiness and commitment for the provision of potable water supply to all urban communities in the country.

In a determination to meet the demand of the consumers through innovation, diversification and keeping up with the emerging markets and trends, the company noted that it has established its packaged water brand, G-Water which started operations in 2018.

According to the company, the G-Water is produced with the highest quality and conforms to the Ghana drinking water standards. 

The company explained that the plant has a bottling line, sachet bagging machines and a dispenser jar filling machine that generates the 500ml bottle, 500ml sachet and 19L Dispenser jar.

Over the last year, the company noted that it has successfully upgraded the plant from a small scale to a medium scale production capacity with the installation of a 12,000 bottles-per-hour capacity bottle line with a 3,500 bottles-per-hour blow mold. 

The G-Water bottle has been redesigned since its inception thereby improving packaging, efficiency, and production cost.

 It is also worthy to note that the plant does a local sourcing and direct purchase of raw materials to boost the local economy and contribute to Government’s effort in generating revenue internally by paying taxes promptly. 

Currently, the construction of a depot in the heart of the central business district of Accra is ongoing and this will enable us get closer to our customers.

On the Right to Information (RTI) Law, Act 989, the Ghana Water Company Limited mentioned that as a public institution, it is committed to ensuring accountability and transparency through the implementation of the provisions of the RTI Act. 

The company asserted that the institution therefore has an established and well-equipped RTI unit for processing RTI requests.

In compliance with the RTI Law, GWL noted that it has an up-to-date register of all RTI applications and related correspondence as well as decisions on all applications. 

Additionally, the GWL pointed out that it has compiled a detailed information manual which spells out clearly the duties of the various departments of the institution, which has been published on the GWCL website and made available at the front desk of the institution.

The GWCL stated that it  has performed remarkably since the inception of the RTI law. 

According to the company, the  RTI unit has received requests, out of which it has responded to about 70% within the requisite timelines stipulated in the RTI Act.

It explained that the remaining 30% are pending because the information requested was either unavailable or was still under deliberation at the time the request was made. 

Despite this, the GWCL mentioned that the applicants have been notified of the reason for the delay and plans are underway to grant them access once the information becomes available.

According to the MD, the GWCL as a utility encounter challenges in its bid to provide clean and reliable water to urban communities. 

"We face several complex issues, each with its unique set of complexities, but our dedication to addressing them is resolute," he told journalists.

He mentioned that one of the most pressing challenges we face is the destructive impact of alluvial mining, often referred to as “Galamsey.” 

According to them, this poses a significant threat to our water sources, as it leads to pollution, siltation, and degradation of critical water bodies. 

He noted that the consequences of this activity are dire, affecting the quality and safety of the water we provide to our communities.

He revealed that the high turbidity, sand and Stone particles damaging our pumps. Down times as a result of frequent shutdowns for maintenance, complaining the increasing dose of chemicals making cost of production very high.

Dr. Braimah noted that the illegal water connections from customers have been a persistent challenge, complaining that these connections lead to substantial water losses and also jeopardize the integrity of our distribution network.

According to him, they result in unauthorized access to our water supply, affecting the financial sustainability of our operation.

He asserted that the non-payment of water bills from customers who consume our water has been an ongoing concern.

"This act hampers our revenue generation and affects our ability to maintain and expand our infrastructure and services effectively.

"Consumers must meet their payment obligations for the sustainability of our operations," he stressed.

To address the issue of non-payment, the MD pointed out that the company has significantly upgraded the company's billing and collection systems. 

He indicated that the company is acutely aware of the importance of timely bill payment and are committed to making the process more convenient for our customers. 

"Therefore, we have introduced flexible payment options that include our Customer App, Mobile Money services, and partnering with various banks for a hassle-free payment experience. These initiatives aim to facilitate compliance and ensure that our customers can easily meet their financial obligations," he noted.

He briefed the journalists on the Non-Revenue Water (NRW), saying that the issue of Non-Revenue Water continues to be a challenge. 

He noted that the NRW rate was 46% for the first half of 2023, explaining that "this means that a significant portion of the water we produce does not reach our consumers due to various factors."

According to him, despite the magnitude of these challenges, the company do not waver in it's resolve to deliver clean and dependable water services to its communities. 

Amidst these challenges, he pointed out that there are noteworthy interventions and achievements that underscore the company's dedication to improving the quality and efficiency of its services.

"We take pride in our water quality management and have achieved an impressive 99% compliance with the six key operational water quality parameters. 

"These parameters include pH, color, alkalinity, turbidity, residual chlorine, and bacteriological analysis. Ensuring the highest quality water is of utmost importance to us, and we consistently meet these stringent standards," he stressed.

To meet the growing demand for water and align with the Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure water access for all by 2030, he mentioned that the  GWCL has undertaken a series of infrastructure improvements. 

This, according to the MD includes the replacement and installation of various types of pumps at most of our headworks to increase production and effectively meet our customers’ needs.

"In our commitment to providing access to clean water, we are expanding the capacity of several water treatment plants and constructing new ones as well," added.

He said these expansion works are essential to meet the continuous demand for water services in our communities, ensuring we reach even more people with safe and reliable water supply.

According to him, the efficient transmission of water is crucial for its operations, adding that the company has replaced 36 meters of transmission lines near the Kpong New works and an additional 12 meters close to Ensign College.

 This upgrade, totaling 48 meters, he stressed has enhanced its water distribution network's efficiency and reliability.

"Our pursuit of excellence does not stop at water quality and infrastructure improvements. We have worked diligently to implement the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS). After successfully completing two external audits conducted by external auditors in October 2023, we have been recommended for ISO 9001:2015 Certification. 

"We anticipate receiving this certification in December 2023. We have prioritized the repair and replacement of major electromechanical equipment, such as pumps and control panels, at various key locations within our network. This strategic upgrade has enhanced the performance of our water supply systems and ensures a more reliable supply of water to our valued customers," the GWCL MD noted.

He said the GWCL has installed Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVRs) at numerous water treatment plants and booster stations. 

According to him, these AVRs play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of its water supply, even in areas with fluctuating electrical conditions.

To safeguard the quality and quantity of our water sources, he noted the company has undertaken extensive dredging activities at multiple water intakes across its operational areas. 

By removing sediment and obstructions, he noted his outfit has ensured a more consistent flow of water, minimizing disruptions in the supply chain.

These accomplishments , he stressed represent his outfit relentless dedication to serving its communities with the best water services possible.