GWL suspends tanker use of fire hydrants nationwide

Ghana Water Limited (GWL) is putting a one-month hold on the use of fire hydrants by water tankers throughout the country.

This decision aims to investigate the reasons behind the significant losses from non-revenue water.

During an interview, GWL’s Managing Director, Adam Mutawakilu, explained that this initiative, supported by the company’s board, seeks to assess whether the usage of hydrants by tankers contributes to the overall water losses in the system.

“We said, okay, let’s try for one month. Let’s suspend tanker service to fire hydrants,” Mr Mutawakilu said. “In a matter of one month, we’ll be able to assess whether these leakages, this non-revenue water, and how much the use of fire hydrants contributes to the non-revenue water.”

He said the company currently accounts for only 48 per cent of the water it produces. In Greater Accra, for example, GWL produces about 140 million gallons of water daily but is only able to account for 67 million gallons.

The remaining 73 million gallons remain unaccounted for.

“We believe that in Ghana, if in Accra alone 73 million gallons a day physically leaked into the system, then within one week the whole of Accra should be flooded. That means that most of this water is being consumed by individuals who do not have an agreement with us to supply water,” he remarked on Citi News.