Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has cautioned residents of Agbogbloshie in the Accra Central District against illegal water connections, unauthorised reconnections and the use of inline booster pumps, warning that offenders could face sanctions under Ghana’s laws.
The warning was issued during a community engagement organised by the Accra East Region of Ghana Water Limited to strengthen customer relations, address water supply challenges and educate residents on the responsible use of potable water.
The engagement, held at the Church of Pentecost, gave residents the opportunity to interact with GWL officials and raise concerns about water supply, billing, metering, disconnections and other challenges affecting consumers in the area.
GWL Urges Customers to Pay Water Bills on Time
The Regional Public Relations Manager for GWL’s Accra East Region, Nana Yaw Barima Barnie, stressed the importance of potable water to everyday life and urged consumers to recognise water as a valuable public utility that must be paid for.
He encouraged customers to pay their water bills promptly and in full, warning against allowing unpaid bills to accumulate over long periods.
Nana Barnie also cautioned residents against illegal water connections and reconnections, noting that individuals found engaging in such activities would face the appropriate sanctions.
He disclosed that GWL was intensifying efforts to eliminate so-called “spaghetti lines”, referring to multiple unauthorised water pipelines laid in gutters and other unsuitable or unhygienic locations.
According to him, customers whose water supply has been disconnected because of unpaid bills will be considered for reconnection after providing evidence that their outstanding bills have been fully settled.
Residents Raise Water Supply and Billing Concerns
The community engagement also highlighted several concerns from residents, including low water pressure, high accumulated water bills and the timing of disconnections.
Some residents questioned why customers with legitimate connections to the GWL network were allowed to accumulate significant arrears before their water services were disconnected.
Others complained that low water pressure in some parts of Agbogbloshie was making it difficult for households to access adequate quantities of water.
The operation of commercial water facilities, popularly known as “showers,” was also discussed during the engagement.
Residents explained that some of these facilities are owned by individuals who do not live within the community and are subsequently handed over to other people to manage.
They noted that managers could sometimes be unaware of outstanding water bills because billing information was sent directly to the registered owners.
In response, GWL officials assured residents that measures would be taken to improve communication with both registered owners and managers of commercial water facilities.
The company said billing information would be sent through the registered contact details of customers to help ensure that bills reach the appropriate persons and are paid on time.
GWL Promotes Electronic Billing and Payment
The engagement also provided an opportunity for Ghana Water Limited to educate residents about its transition to electronic billing and payment systems.
Officials explained that the system is expected to make it easier for customers to access their water bills and make payments electronically.
The company also highlighted the importance of accurate water billing, particularly for customers who currently receive estimated bills because their properties do not have water meters.
Although some residents expressed concerns that installing water meters could lead to higher bills, GWL officials explained that water metering provides a more accurate way of measuring consumption.
They said metering would promote transparency, accountability and fairness between Ghana Water Limited and its customers.
Residents were therefore encouraged to use potable water responsibly and avoid unnecessary wastage during bathing, washing and other household activities.
GWL officials noted that seemingly small amounts of wasted water can result in significant volumes and financial costs when multiplied across thousands of consumers.
GWL Warns Against Illegal Booster Pumps
On the issue of water pressure, GWL officials strongly cautioned residents against installing inline booster pumps to increase the pressure of water entering their homes.
They explained that the practice is not permitted and could attract sanctions.
According to GWL, widespread use of booster pumps can disrupt pressure levels across the water distribution network and negatively affect other consumers who depend on the same system.
Residents were consequently encouraged to report suspected cases of water theft, illegal connections and unauthorised reconnections to the appropriate Ghana Water Limited offices.
They were also urged to report any GWL staff members suspected of facilitating illegal connections or reconnections so that the company can investigate and take appropriate disciplinary action where necessary.
GWL Strengthens Community Engagement
The Accra Central District Manager of GWL, Ing. Ebenezer Kokoroko, emphasised the importance of maintaining regular communication between Ghana Water Limited and the communities it serves.
He said the company was working to strengthen community-level engagement by identifying community representatives who could help communicate GWL activities, relay customer concerns and support efforts to resolve water supply and billing challenges.
The initiative forms part of efforts to improve customer service, water supply management, revenue collection and responsible use of potable water across communities served by Ghana Water Limited.
Source: newsthemegh.com