Use water modestly, stop watering gardens and washing cars – Sanitation Minister

The Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Ms Cecelia Dapaah, has advised the public to be modest in the use of water following government’s decision to absorb the water bills of all Ghanaians for the next three months.

President Akufo-Addo on Sunday announced that government would, as part of measures to halt the spread of the Coronavirus, pay the water bills for the months of April, May and June and further directed the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to ensure a stable supply of water

Speaking on Accra-based Peace FM, Ms Dapaah commended the President and admonished Ghanaians to be judicious in the use of water.

She further advised that people should desist from watering their gardens and washing their cars, which in her opinion was a waste of water.

"It will rain soon. People should stop watering their gardens. Even the gardeners are not working now. And also let's stop using treated water for washing our cars. Use a bucket of water. If not we might have to ban people from washing their cars. Let's all be modest," she said in Twi.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Water Company Limited says customers who have defaulted in the payment of their water bills will not enjoy the government’s announced free water supply.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr Clifford Braimah says all customers whose lines have been disconnected for non-payment of bills will not also be reconnected.

He said those who owe the company must pay their debts in order to be guaranteed the free water supply.