Accra and its surrounding communities are grappling with persistent water shortages as Ghana Water Limited (GWL) faces a severe financial and operational crisis that is undermining the company’s ability to supply adequate water to residents.
At the centre of the problem lies a growing burden of customer arrears, which has ballooned to nearly GH¢2 billion, significantly restricting the utility’s cash flow and capacity to invest in critical infrastructure upgrades. The shortfall comes as the national capital faces a weekly deficit of about 73 million gallons of water against a demand of roughly 210 million gallons, a gap that is felt sharply by consumers across the city.
GWL Managing Director Adam Mutawakilu outlined the challenges during the launch of new Revenue Enhancement Teams aimed at curbing losses and boosting revenue. According to him, nearly half of the water produced nationwide is lost before it ever reaches a paying customer, a phenomenon known in the sector as non-revenue water.
Of the approximately 220 million gallons of water treated daily, only about 106 million gallons are accurately measured and billed, leaving large volumes unaccounted for due to technical and commercial losses.
Technical losses stem from ageing pipelines and leaks, while commercial losses result from illegal connections, tampered meters, billing inaccuracies and outright theft of water.
These gaps constrain the utility’s finances, affecting everything from maintenance to expansion projects designed to increase water production and distribution.