By Grace Zigah
The Kwanyako Headworks, a critical water treatment facility serving communities across the Central Region, has been shut down following severe operational disruptions caused by illegal mining activities upstream.
Ghana Water Limited (GWL) confirmed that both intake pumps at the facility’s old and new treatment plants have broken down due to heavy silt accumulation in the Ayensu River.
Officials attribute the problem to rampant galamsey operations in the Eastern Region, which have accelerated sediment build-up and polluted the river feeding the plant.
The Kwanyako Headworks, commissioned in 1964 with an initial production capacity of 14,000 cubic meters, was upgraded in 2007 to include a modern plant capable of producing an additional 21,000 cubic meters.
Before the shutdown, the combined output exceeded 25,000 cubic meters of treated water daily.
The sudden halt in operations has left residents in several towns and communities scrambling for alternative water sources, many of which are unsafe for drinking and domestic use.
Divers hired to inspect the submerged intake pumps recommended immediate desilting and dredging of the Ayensu River.
However, GWL officials caution that any dredging effort will have minimal impact if upstream illegal mining activities continue unabated.
The shutdown has once again highlighted the far-reaching consequences of galamsey, not only on the environment but also on essential public services.
Community leaders and residents have expressed frustration over the recurring disruption of water supply, calling on both local authorities and national regulators to enforce stricter measures against illegal miners.
