A looming water crisis is threatening the Ho Municipality and surrounding districts in the Volta Region after Ghana Water Limited (GWL) temporarily shut down operations at the Kpeve Water Treatment Plant. The closure is due to extreme turbidity levels in the raw water source, exacerbated by environmental degradation around the facility, making water treatment technically unsafe and operationally impossible. This situation has raised fears of recurring shortages if urgent measures are not taken to protect the plant’s intake area and buffer zone from encroachment and siltation.
Context of the Crisis
The shutdown stems from severe siltation and pollution of the plant’s raw water source, renewing concerns over encroachment and construction activities within the protected buffer zone surrounding the intake point. Residents across Ho, South Dayi, Afadzato South, and adjoining communities now face the threat of recurring water shortages. GWL warns that the situation could deteriorate without immediate action to protect the water source.
Alarming Turbidity Levels
GWL management described the current situation as alarming. Raw water entering the treatment facility has become excessively muddy and unsafe for treatment due to extremely high turbidity levels. These levels are attributed to heavy rains and ongoing land disturbances around the intake area.
Leave a Reply