The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), has reduced water supply to residents in the Central Regional capital, Cape Coast and its surrounding communities from 18,000 cubic meters to 9,000 cubic meters.
The 50 percent reduction in water supply, appears to be a perennial challenge exacerbated by climate change, indebtedness to the company and other human activities particularly farming on the banks of the river.
More than 300,000 residents have been severely impacted, forcing many to trek long distances in search of water, often at unhygienic sources.
Nana Yaw Barima Barnie, the Central and Western Regional Public Relations Officer of GWCL, said the company was struggling with the combined factors of the dry season and high demand.
He denied rumours of breakdown of facilities, assuring that water intake and supply would improve with the onset of the rains.
“Our machines have not broken down as speculated, but we are just experiencing low water intake and supply. We have long advised people to stop cutting down trees at the banks of the river but to no avail.
“We know access to water is a human right issue, however, we are not reneging on our mandate to ensure hygienic water supply at all times,” he said.
Similarly, he emphasised the indebtedness of its customers to the company as severely inhibiting their operations and ability to provide consistent water services.
Mr Barnie expressed concerns over widespread non-payment of water bills, with over 50 per cent of customers failing to pay regularly.
This situation had led to significant financial strain, prompting GWCL to consider legal action against defaulting customers.
Mr Barnie urged customers to use the e-billing system to pay their bills regularly to enable the company to serve the people better.
Some residents told the Ghana News Agency that they have resorted to purchasing water from private vendors at exorbitant rates, with some families spending GHC80 for just eight gallons every five days.
For a resident like Madam Sabina Amoah, the lack of water supply had brought a financial strain on her meagre income, affecting health and hygiene, as she often resort to unsafe water sources or bottled water due to the unreliability of public supply.
GNA