The Central Regional Manager of Ghana Water Limited (GWL), John Eric Kwofie, has revealed that unpaid debts in the region have reached a massive GH₵69,517,644.05.
He expressed deep concern that these outstanding arrears were significantly affecting the company’s operations, impacting service delivery and threatening the long-term sustainability of water supply in the region.
Speaking during a World Water Day media engagement last Friday, themed “Water Conservation: Let’s Make It Our Way of Life,” Mr. Kwofie emphasized the need for customers to settle their debts promptly.
He stated that the non-payment of bills was putting immense strain on GWL's finances, making it difficult to pay workers, purchase water treatment chemicals, maintain infrastructure, and expand services to improve efficiency.
Illegal Mining Activities Affecting Water Supply
Mr. Kwofie noted that private institutions, companies, and entire communities were among the biggest defaulters, urging them to clear their debts immediately.
Paperless Billing & E-Payment System
To enhance efficiency and ease bill payments, he announced that GWL had fully transitioned to a paperless billing system.
As part of this initiative, a new e-billing platform had been introduced, allowing customers to pay their bills easily by dialing *1010# on all networks.
“This system eliminates the need for customers to visit GWL offices just to make payments. Now, bills can be settled anytime, anywhere,” he stated, adding that this digital transformation would significantly improve revenue collection and operational efficiency.
He assured the public of GWL’s commitment to better service delivery and appealed for cooperation in using water responsibly.
Illegal Water Connections
The Regional Water Quality Assurance Manager, Nicholas Okyere, highlighted the increasing problem of illegal connections, which account for nearly 20% revenue loss for the company.
He also raised concerns about meter tampering, where individuals manipulate meters to avoid accurate billing.
Additionally, he disclosed that some customers had resorted to stealing GWL’s water meters, making it difficult to track water usage and enforce payments.
These illegal activities, he warned, were placing immense strain on the company’s ability to maintain a stable water supply.
To address this issue, GWL had introduced a reward system to encourage the public to report cases of water and meter theft.
Under this initiative, individuals who report cases of illegal connections or meter tampering, leading to arrests, would be rewarded.
“Water theft doesn’t just hurt the company—it also affects law-abiding customers who depend on us for a steady water supply. We urge everyone to report any suspicious activity,” Mr. Okyere appealed.
Water Supply & Climate Change Challenges
Updating the public on water supply, Mr. Okyere noted slight improvements compared to last year but warned that climate change continued to disrupt operations.
He explained that prolonged dry seasons and unpredictable rainfall had affected water sources, making it harder to meet demand.
Additionally, farming activities near water bodies were worsening the situation.
The increased use of fertilizers, pesticides, and agrochemicals was contaminating water sources, while deforestation and soil erosion were causing excessive sedimentation in rivers and reservoirs.
“We are seeing more algal blooms due to nutrient pollution, which is further degrading water quality,” he cautioned.
Declining Water Resources
A former Central Regional Director of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Dr. Ato Quansah, provided an overview of water availability in the region.
He pointed out that most of the region relies on surface water, with only a few areas depending on groundwater.
Over the past 50 years, fresh water availability has declined by 50%, while the human population has doubled.
“If you’re 60 years old today, the amount of fresh water available when you were 10 was twice what it is now,” he explained.
He warned that rapid population growth was driving higher demand for water, making supply more challenging.
Furthermore, water quality had deteriorated across all major benchmarks, putting the region in a critical state.
Urgent Need for Water Conservation
Given these alarming trends, Dr. Quansah stressed that water conservation was no longer optional but necessary.
He urged individuals, businesses, and institutions to adopt sustainable water usage habits, warning that failure to do so would lead to severe shortages.
“We are at a critical point, and the only way forward is to conserve water. If we don’t act now, the crisis will worsen in the years ahead,” he cautioned.
He called on the public to:
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Reduce water wastage
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Report illegal connections
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Support policies that promote water sustainability
His message emphasized the urgent need for collective action to safeguard water resources for future generations.
Residents’ Opinions on GWL Services
Residents interviewed by Daily Graphic shared mixed reactions about GWL’s services.
While some complained about inaccurate billing, others expressed satisfaction but urged GWL to ensure regular water flow.
✅ Maame Adwoa (Greenhill, Cape Coast)
She revealed that water hadn’t flowed in her taps for months, yet she received a GH₵1,000 bill.
“How can we pay for water we haven’t used?” she questioned.
She had been relying on well water but was now burdened with a high bill, prompting her to seek clarification from GWL.
✅ Daniel Tetteh (Greenhill, Cape Coast)
Unlike Maame Adwoa, he stated that he paid his bills regularly and was satisfied with GWL’s services.
All he needed was consistent water flow.
✅ Eva Adjei (Yamoransa)
She complained of erratic water supply over the past months.
“Water disappears for a week, then comes for two days, yet we’re billed regularly. It’s difficult to pay for water we haven’t consumed,” she said.
She feared disconnection and admitted paying bills despite receiving little water.
✅ Evelyn Wilson (Mempeasem, Cape Coast)
She praised GWL for regular water supply and fair billing.
However, she raised concerns over water quality, urging authorities to improve it further.
Conclusion
The water crisis in the Central Region is worsening, with rising debt, illegal activities, climate change, and poor resource management threatening supply.
While GWL is implementing digital solutions and tackling illegal connections, customers demand fair billing, reliable service, and quality water.
The call for urgent conservation measures is louder than ever, as the region faces an uncertain water
