In a recent discussion on the environmental impact of illegal mining, US-based environmental engineer Dr. Juliet Ohemeng-Ntiamoah emphasized the limitations of standard water treatment processes in addressing heavy metal contamination.

Speaking on Joy News' Newsfile on October 5th, 2024, she addressed the growing concerns over galamsey, illegal mining practices in Ghana, which have severely impacted water bodies.

Dr. Ohemeng-Ntiamoah, who specializes in bioenergy and wastewater process engineering, used her expertise to explain the various stages of water treatment—coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, disinfection, and filtration—but noted that none of these methods effectively remove heavy metals.

"The typical water treatment process does not include the removal of heavy metals," she stressed, warning of the dangers posed by mercury and lead, two common byproducts of galamsey operations.

Her comments follow a recent report by Ghana Water Limited (GWL) on water quality improvements in the Central Region. In an official communique dated October 2nd, 2024, GWL reported that turbidity levels at the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant had decreased from 14,000 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) to 9,000 NTU. This improvement allowed the plant to increase water production from 1.98 million gallons per day to 2.77 million gallons per day. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that water turbidity levels should not exceed 5 NTU, raising questions about the safety of water still considered “improved.”

Dr. Justice Kofi Boakye Appiah, a medical doctor and research immunologist who also contributed to the discussion, cautioned against celebrating this supposed improvement. “People were jubilating that the turbidity level in the Central Region has come down to 9,000 NTU or so, meanwhile WHO says water turbidity level should be 5 NTU or less,” he pointed out.

The conversation took an even darker turn when co-host Kojo Yankson referenced historical figures in his criticism of Ghana’s leadership, stating, "Even Adolf Hitler never polluted or poisoned a water body of any nation, that diabolical thought never occurred to Hitler." This stark comparison underscored the severity of the water contamination issue in Ghana, with many feeling that the country’s leadership has failed to adequately address the crisis.

Dr. Ohemeng-Ntiamoah emphasized that heavy metals, unlike turbidity, are not removed through conventional treatment. "The issue is bigger than muddy waters," she explained, noting that water polluted with heavy metals is not suitable for drinking unless further, costly processes are implemented.

She warned that addressing the contamination from heavy metals could lead to a drastic rise in water prices, potentially up to "five to ten times" higher, as additional treatment units would be required. Alternatively, Ghana might face the prospect of importing drinking water in the near future."With the treatment process, we can remove the muddy side or the turbidity. But then there is still residual heavy metals concentration that is not removed by the water treatment process. To be able to remove that, we will need to add an additional process unit to remove the heavy metals, and that will almost be five times the cost of the water people are having. We have heard that we could be importing water. It is either we are importing water, or we could be paying five to ten times for the water that we have to use," she said.

Her revelations align with ongoing protests across the country over the failed fight against galamsey. The health risks posed by contaminated water, coupled with the rising economic burden of clean water, have further intensified calls for stricter action against illegal mining.