The ongoing construction of Nsawam Water Treatment Plant in Ghana is expected to complete soon. Construction of the major components of the project, transmission and distribution pipelines have been completed.
When completed, the project is expected to deliver, 1.6 million gallons of water per day to meet the commodity demand of the people of Nsawam and its surrounding areas.
According to Water Resources Minister, Works and Housing, Samuel Yaw Adusie, test run of the water treatment plant, had been undertaken and all the treatment facilities are performing satisfactorily.
The delay in the commissioning of the project has been attributed to the siltation of the Densu River as a result of upstream activities coupled with low flows associated with the dry season. Nonetheless, the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is taking steps to increase the impoundment by dredging the river bed.
In 2011, the government of Ghana embarked on an expansion of the Nsawam Water supply project, with the provision of a new water treatment plant at cost of US$12.4m to serve the Nsawam people and the surrounding neighbours. Conversely, temporary measure has been established to ensure water crisis in the area is resolved.
The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in collaboration with the GWCL has been providing water through tanker to the area as part of measures to temporarily deal with the problem.
The expansion and rehabilitation works on the water treatment plant is of significance because the initial plant had been constructed in 1962 and since then it has never been renovated. The old systems needs to be rehabilitated and expanded given that the population of the catchment area has increased so much over time.
Phase II of the project will involve the rehabilitation of the existing water treatment plant and the connection of the new transmission and distribution lines to the existing reservoir. The construction works will commence as soon as funds are available.
The water treatment plant project is targeted to serve 12 additional communities including Pokuase, Piobo, Avaga, Wangara Ahodwo, Amasaman, Akwamu Kpobiman, Oparekrom, Sempe nos 1 and 2, and Shikpontele.
