Agordome: The Agordome Water Treatment Plant (AWTP) in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region has been temporarily shut down due to deteriorating raw water quality.
According to Ghana News Agency, a letter addressed to the Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, and signed by Mr. Emmanuel A. Johnson, the Regional Chief Manager of Ghana Limited, indicated that the shutdown occurred at 1100 hours on Wednesday, October 15. The decision was made because the water quality had been compromised, with raw water turbidity measured at 39.4 NTU and treated water turbidity at 29.4 NTU, both exceeding the Ghana Standards Authority’s limit of 5 NTU for potable water.
Mr. Johnson explained that the Agordome Water Treatment Plant often encounters challenges during the rainy season due to its inability to effectively process highly turbid raw water. The plant lacks essential treatment components, such as a coagulant dosing system, sedimentation tank, and clarifiers, which are crucial for managing water quality.
The shutdown is expected to significantly impact water supply to several communities, including Sogakope, Tefle, Dabala, Anloga, Keta, and their surrounding areas. Residents in these communities may experience water shortages or disruptions until the situation improves. Mr. Johnson assured that the situation is being closely monitored, and normal water supply will be restored as soon as quality improves.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by water treatment plants in managing water quality during rainy seasons. The lack of adequate treatment facilities often leads to shutdowns and disruptions in water supply. Some residents in the affected communities, who heavily rely on the Agordome Water Treatment Plant for their water needs, are appealing to the authorities to implement alternative solutions to address the challenges posed by the temporary shutdown.
The situation underscores the need for adequate infrastructure and maintenance of water treatment plants to ensure a consistent supply of safe drinking water to communities.