Rising siltation threat to Ghana’s water supply- Adam Mutawakilu

Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has expressed deep concern over the rapid siltation of the nation’s major raw-water sources.

They cautioned that the trend poses a severe threat to sustainable water production and national water security.

The company says the increasing accumulation of silt, sediment, and debris in rivers and reservoirs is significantly reducing the availability and quality of water for treatment. This, according to GWL, is driving up production costs and straining supply systems across the country.

Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited, Mr. Adam Mutawakilu, described the development as a major environmental and infrastructural challenge that requires immediate, coordinated national intervention.

“Ghana’s raw-water sources are silting up faster than our plants were built to handle,” Mr. Mutawakilu warned. “After heavy rains, turbidity at several major intakes now spikes to levels that make conventional treatment difficult, costly, and sometimes temporarily impossible. If we don’t act at the source, we will spend more each year to produce less water.”

He explained that uncontrolled human activities — including illegal mining, deforestation, and poor land-use practices — are contributing to the rising silt levels in rivers and reservoirs. These practices, he said, have forced frequent shutdowns at treatment facilities, resulting in intermittent water supply to many communities.

The Managing Director urged a unified national approach to addressing the crisis, calling on government agencies, private sector actors, and local communities to work together in protecting and restoring Ghana’s water sources.

He suggested that the country adopt an integrated response framework that prioritizes catchment protection, riverbank restoration, and the enforcement of environmental laws in areas feeding major treatment plants.

Mr. Mutawakilu emphasized that water security is fundamental to Ghana’s economic growth and public health, and therefore demands urgent attention from all sectors. He reaffirmed GWL’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders to implement sustainable water management practices and preserve the nation’s vital water resources for future generations.