The illicit mining (galamsey) operations in the Western Region, according to Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), make it difficult to produce water every day.

According to GWCL, the region was utilizing 20 gallons of alums per day to treat water, but that number has now increased to 60 gallons per day due to the region's water bodies' poor quality as a result of galamsey activities.

The Central and Western Regional Communications Manager for GWCL, Nana Yaw Baanie, said on the Morning Starr with Francis Abban on Monday that "the situation is really getting worse" and that "urgent steps must be taken to salvage the situation." She also added that the government is losing the battle against galamsey in the region.

According to him, if the operation of illegal mining had really stopped the water bodies should be clear by now but that is not the case in the region.

“The color is over 9,000NTU and then the turbidity is 3,000 so this is what Ghana Water will have to deal with. We are supposed to reduce these figures to five (5) in order to make the water potable. That is the guideline we have been given. So this is our story in Takoradi Daboase to be specific where we get water from the Pra.

“If there should be anything that can be done it must be done now and it must be drastic. Recently, my boss Stanley Mantey said a time will come when Ghana Water Company will cease operation, yes. It may be coming very soon but we don’t know when,” Mr. Baanie stated.

Because what do we do if the water becomes untreatable at some point, he continued?

Can you image what will happen in Sekondi Takoradi if we cease operating for even one day?

We have a sizable hospital in Effia Nkwantan; where will they receive water if we have to suspend operations?

What will happen to the universities and the second cycle schools if we cease operations?

He claimed that before the ban on galamsey was declared, the galamseyers were active at the GWCL operation site at Daboase.

He asserted that, despite a nationwide campaign to combat the threat, their investigation demonstrates that the galamsey activities are still taking place.