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WaterAid Ghana has successfully completed the expansion of the Bongo Water Supply System, a GH¢2.5 million project aimed at providing safer and more reliable access to clean water in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region.
Increased Water Production
The expansion has significantly increased the daily water production capacity, raising it from a modest 20,000 litres to an impressive 116,000 litres. This expansion was made possible through collaboration with the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) and the financial support of the Zochonis Charitable Trust. The total project cost amounted to GH¢2,553,145.33, and it is expected to bring much-needed relief to local residents.
Project Highlights
Key aspects of the newly completed project include:
- The mechanisationMechanisation of two existing boreholes to boost production.
- Construction of two pump houses and four public standpipes.
- Installation of an institutional standpipe and laying of nine kilometres of distribution pipelines.
These upgrades are a crucial part of a broader initiative to address the twin challenges of water scarcity and fluoride contamination in the region’s groundwater.
A Critical Step Forward
At the inauguration ceremony, Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur, Country Director for WaterAid Ghana, stressed that while this project was an important milestone, there is still much to be done. She highlighted that fluoride contamination remains a serious concern in Bongo, noting that out of the four boreholes previously used, three are now compromised due to fluoride levels that exceeded safe limits.
“The people of Bongo deserve clean water every day,” she said, urging the government and donors to invest in alternative water sources, particularly surface water, which is not affected by fluoride. However, she emphasised that tackling this issue will require large-scale investments that WaterAid cannot handle alone.
Fluoride Contamination Still a Concern
Emmanuel Oppong, Acting Upper East Regional Director for CWSA, explained that the project was designed to address two urgent issues: limited access to potable water and unsafe fluoride levels in the region’s groundwater. Of the 11 boreholes tested, only seven met the acceptable fluoride threshold of 1.5 mg/l. Two of the boreholes, with yields of 4.8 and 6.0 cubic metres per hour, were selected for mechanisation.
Oppong expressed gratitude towards WaterAid Ghana and its partners for their technical and financial contributions to improving access to safe drinking water in Bongo.
A Community United for Sustainability
Naba Baba Salifu Atamale Lemyaarum, the Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, extended his gratitude to WaterAid Ghana and its partners for their dedication to providing potable water to the region. He pledged to rally his community to care for the system and ensure its longevity, guaranteeing that future generations will benefit from these crucial improvements.
The expansion of the Bongo Water Supply System marks a significant milestone in improving water access, but further action is needed to ensure that the people of Bongo have a consistent and sustainable water supply in the years to come.
