For Atlantic FM - Cape Coast Ghana, broadcast on 20.2.2013
An official at the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) says water in the Cape Coast region is
safer to drink than sachet water.
This assurance comes after expired aluminium sulphate was reportedly found in water treated at the
Weija plant, raising concerns for health. National Security officials are currently investigating this
issue.
GWCL Regional Chief Manager Emmanuel Ashia told ATL FM News that water in the Cape Coast
area was safe for human consumption, and had not had any official word concerning the expired
chemicals issue.
“Our water is tested every day from the plant where the water is produced, and also in the
distribution system we take samples to make sure the water is tested, so if you drink our water – it is
safe.
“We add extra chlorine to kill any bacteria that happens to be in the system.”
The company uses two treatment plants – Sekyere Heman and Briminso for water from the River
Pra and Kakum River. Mr Ashia said the issue of iron naturally occurring in water, old pipes and
hilly areas in Cape Coast were more of an issue in water management and distribution.
He said water around the Cape Coast Castle was a problem due to the old pipes in the area, which
would be difficult to replace as roads run over-top of them.
Despite these issues, he claimed that the tap water was often safer to drink than some sachet or
bottled water.
“We know that most of the sachet water is not safe, they just filter the water and put it in the rubber
bags.
“Some do some disinfection that can last for a while, but when they are put in the sunlight there is a
lot of algae growth.”
He said not all the sachet water was unsafe, but there was a common misconception that tap water
in Ghana was not safe to drink, and that these were a better alternative.
