GWL sounds alarm as reservoir capacity drops by 30%

Ghana Water Limited has raised concerns over the rapid destruction of forests around the Barekese Dam in the Ashanti Region, warning that severe siltation has reduced the reservoir’s storage capacity by nearly 30 per cent.

The company says the situation poses a major threat to the water supply in the Greater Kumasi area, where the dam serves as one of the main sources of potable water for thousands of residents.

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According to officials, more than half of the forest cover protecting the reservoir has been lost due to illegal logging, indiscriminate farming, bush burning, sand winning, and the expansion of human settlements within the catchment area.

The environmental degradation has increased soil erosion, causing large volumes of sediment to flow into the reservoir and affecting raw water quality.

The Chief Manager of the Ashanti Production Region of Ghana Water Limited, Hanson Mensah Akutteh, warned that failure to act quickly could lead to a serious water crisis in the future.

“There’s a whole load of silt that runs from the degraded lands into the river where we abstract. We’ve silted almost 30%. If we don’t do something now, a time will come when we won’t have the water available at all,” he said.

In response, Ghana Water Limited, in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and the Atwima Nwabiagya South District Assembly, has launched a tree-planting exercise to restore degraded parts of the catchment area.

More than 5,000 tree seedlings, including mahogany, cedrela, and ofram, were planted by GWL staff, students of Barekese Senior High School, and local officials.

Dr Akutteh noted that restoring the forest would help improve water quality, reduce evaporation, and strengthen climate resilience.

“This forest reduces evaporation, acts as a natural filter to improve water quality, and reduces the burden on treatment facilities. Restoring forest cover enhances climate resilience, as the trees regulate local temperatures, improve rainfall patterns, and reduce risks associated with droughts and flooding,” he explained.

The Nkawie District Manager of the Forestry Commission, Abraham Essel, called for collective efforts to protect the catchment area.

“Protecting the catchment is not the responsibility of one institution alone. Every tree planted today is an investment in clean water, healthier communities, and a sustainable future,” he said.

NA/BAI

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