The Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has intensified efforts to address widespread illegal water connections, meter theft, and other irregularities that are causing substantial daily losses for the company.
Management is appealing to the public, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to support its drive against water theft and service disruptions.
Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has raised alarm over massive daily losses in the Greater Accra Region, where some 73 million gallons of treated water go unaccounted for due to theft, illegal tapping, meter bypasses, faulty infrastructure, and unbilled usage.
According to Managing Director Adam Mutawakilu, more than 52 percent of water produced in the region is not traceable, meaning it neither generates revenue nor reaches consumers as intended.
Between late 2024 and early 2025, GWL uncovered over 2,700 illegal connections in the Accra-Tema area and nearly 1,500 in Accra West, where more than 800 users have refused to regularise despite grace periods.
In response, the company is collaborating with the Police to prosecute offenders, while also encouraging the public to report suspicious connections through confidential channels, with whistleblowers sometimes rewarded.
Though a grace period was offered for voluntary compliance, many illegal users failed to act, leading to arrests and legal action.
The consequences are far-reaching. Revenue losses threaten GWL’s financial sustainability, limit its ability to expand and maintain infrastructure, and compromise water delivery for legal users who often face reduced pressure.
Illegal tapping also strains pipelines and treatment systems, raising repair costs.
To address the crisis, GWL is calling for stronger public cooperation, tougher enforcement, technological upgrades such as smart meters and digital billing, and regulatory support to secure water resources and protect service delivery.
Source: myxyzonlin.com/J.W. Quarm
