Ghanaians have been urged to support proposed water tariff increases as the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) struggles to manage rising treatment costs caused by pollution from illegal mining activities.
Speaking at a Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) stakeholder consultation and public hearing in Cape Coast, Chief Manager for Corporate Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at GWCL, Michael Tawiah Klutse, said the company can no longer sustain operations with the current rate of five cedis per cubic meter. He explained that a new rate of 20 cedis is being proposed to keep the company financially stable and able to deliver clean water to consumers.
“Our water sources are heavily polluted, especially due to galamsey. Treating such water is expensive, and if we do not adjust tariffs, it will be difficult to maintain supply. Polluted water is not life,” Mr. Klutse told journalists after the session.
He also highlighted that the Agona Kwanyako Water Treatment Plant in the Central Region remains shut down due to contamination from illegal mining, a situation that has worsened water challenges in the area.
The public hearing, chaired by Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, formed part of PURC’s ongoing nationwide engagement on the 2025 to 2029 multi-year tariff review. The process allows utility consumers and other stakeholders to share their views on proposed adjustments by service providers.
PURC officials said the consultations are intended to ensure transparency and fairness in the tariff-setting process while balancing consumer interests with the financial sustainability of public utilities.
