Red flags over the country's water safety

Kumasi, May 29, GNA - The sinking of boreholes without proper environmental assessment, is posing a big threat to water safety in the country.

The Ashanti Regional Engineer of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), Mr Owusu Konadu, who made the observation, called for the formulation of effective regulations to solve the problem to promote public health.

He expressed worry that some boreholes and wells were dug close to septic tanks, resulting in seepage of liquid waste to contaminate water.

Mr Konadu was speaking at a day's capacity building workshop for journalists at the Noda Hotel at Fumesua near Kumasi.

The event was organized by WaterAID-Ghana, a non-governmental organisation, to solicit the support of participants towards the promotion of water safety.

Mr Konadu asked individuals and organisations that sink boreholes and wells to obtain permit from the appropriate authority before operating.

Mr Daniel Atitogoe, Ashanti Regional Environmental Health Officer, appealed to the media to intensify their public education on environmental cleanliness.

He said the country would make progress in the fight to reduce poverty if sanitary conditions in the communities improve.

Mr Atitogoe called for punitive sanctions against people who violate sanitation bye-laws.