GWCL to shut water treatment plant at Dalun due to sand winning activities
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has stated that it may be forced to shut down its water treatment plant at Dalun in the Kumbungu District in the Northern Region, if sand winning activities in the river bed at its raw water intake point at Nawuni and around the White Volta continues.
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The sand winners have also reportedly diverted the course of the river channels.
"We do not get enough raw water to treat at our Dalun treatment plant for consumption since the White Volta which serves as the source of raw water has heavily been polluted as a result of sand winning activities in the river bed and close to the river banks", the Northern Regional Production Manager of the GWCL, Mr. Nicholas Okyere said when he took journalists on an inspection tour.
During the tour along the banks of the White Volta, the journalists witnessed the massive devastation sand winning activities had caused to the environment and also polluted the White Volta.
The visit was also used to interact with chiefs, opinion and community leaders, the sand winners.
The Dalun treatment plant supplies potable water for consumption in the Tamale Metropolis, Savelugu,
But, according to Mr Okyere, the GWCL was currently rationing water in the Tamale metropolis and other catchment areas due to the sand winning activities.
"We have to throw away 30 per cent of the water we get for treatment due to pollution of the White Volta as a result of the sanding winning activities and if care is not taken we may be forced to shut down," he emphasised.
Buffer Zone
He said if the buffer zone was respected and observed by all stakeholders along the White Volta, it will help restore the river to its old state and also improve the water supply situation in Tamale.
He said the GWCL was not against sand winning since it was important for the construction industry and serves as a source of livelihood for the people but "all we are demanding for was responsible mining of the sand in order not to excessively pollute the river."
Stakeholders
The immediate past chairman of the Northern Regional branch of the Association of Road Contractors Ghana ( ASROG) said he will convey the message to their members and urged all to engage in responsible sand winning to protect the water bodies from drying up and pollution,
The Secretary of the Tamale Tipper Truck Association,
Chiefs and other community leaders from communities along the White Volta during the interaction also pledged to respect the 100 metres buffer zone and also educate members of their communities on the need to protect the water bodies.