The Eastern Regional Chief Manager of Ghana Water Company Limited Kwaku Asomani Nyarko has lamented that misapplication of agrochemicals, discharge of mining chemicals, and improper waste management are heavily polluting both surface and groundwater making it expensive to treat for human consumption.
He said previously, galamsey was the major contributor of water pollution which was affecting the operations of Ghana Water Company but since the introduction of operation galamstop by the government, the situation has been minimized however, illegal sand winning activities have become another pollutant to surface and groundwater
Mr. Asomani Kwaku Nyarko also advised that due to the high level of pollution of groundwater, it is imperative to drill well water and borehole water deep beneath the aquifer before such water can be safe for use but must be tested.
“The concentration of the chemicals in the groundwater changes over time. During the dry season the water table is low so the concentration goes high, during the rainy season it is diluted so the concentration comes down but how will you know if you don’t bring samples for a test that is what we are recommending that people who have boreholes in their house should bring it for testing during the dry season and during the raining season so that we advise them professionally”.
This was said Tuesday, March 22, 2022, during the celebration of world water day at Nsawam Adoagyiri under the theme “Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible”.
The Eastern Regional Minister Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong who was guest of honor said water is an essential commodity that should not be taken for granted and needs to be protected and preserved.
He said human activities such as illegal mining, illegal sand winning and indiscriminate uses of Agro Chemicals largely contribute to polluting our water bodies; this he said is costly to the government’s expenditure on water treatment.
He, therefore, urged farmers and all stakeholders in the mining industries to minimize or avoid the use of unauthorized chemicals which are harmful to the environment.
The Minister also directed Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region to ensure that persons who drill wells and boreholes obtain drilling licenses before being permitted to carry out such projects.
Engineer Sampson Atakola, the Eastern Director of Community Water and Sanitation Agency, CWSA, urged Ghanaians to desist from bad practices which have the potential of destroying groundwater for sustainable use
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
