Two persons have been arrested for allegedly mining illegally on one of the tributaries of the Offin River which serves the Barekese Dam in the Ashanti Region.
It is reported that about 20 illegal miners pitched camp close to the Ankronsa stream at Adankwame.
The Offin River is currently clean upstream but the Ghana Water Company says any form of mining along its tributaries will spell doom for water supply in Kumasi.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) disclosed a few days ago, that they have been compelled to switch from alum to polymer for water treatment due to galamsey activities.
According to the Communications Director of GWCL, Stanley Martey, the turbidity levels in the water bodies have exceeded 10,000 NTU(Nephelometric Turbidity Unit) as a result of galamsey, rendering alum ineffective in the treatment process.
Mr. Martey said, “Initially we were using alum but now the alum is almost ineffective and we are now using polymers.”
According to him, the use of more dangerous chemicals to treat water is affecting the staff health-wise as they inhale the chemicals.
This comes after illegal mining activities polluted several water bodies in the country.
GWCL in October 2022 noted that the cost of producing water has increased tenfold as a result of illegal mining activities, hence management has resolved to pass the cost to the consumer.
