Ghana Water Limited has intensified a nationwide anti-water theft and revenue mobilisation exercise, uncovering nearly 400 illegal water connections in Accra alone as part of broader efforts to reduce water losses and improve supply reliability in Accra and Tema.
The operation, being conducted with support from National Security, has so far exposed liabilities estimated at GH¢16 million, with approximately GH¢3.7 million already recovered from offending customers.
Managing Director of GWL, Adam Mutawakilu, disclosed this during an inspection tour of the company’s Central Workshop and sections of the Kpong transmission line currently undergoing repairs.
According to him, investigations by the new management revealed that illegal water connections, meter bypasses and leakages on ageing pipelines were major contributors to the company’s high non-revenue water levels.
“As of last Friday, we had identified about 397 illegal connections,” Mr Mutawakilu stated.
He explained that the company established a specialised Revenue Enhancement Team in August 2025 to tackle water theft and improve revenue collection. The team, which initially operated with three units, was expanded to 10 units in January this year to strengthen enforcement nationwide.
Customers found culpable are being required to settle outstanding liabilities or face prosecution and disconnection from the water supply network.
Repairs of Transmission Pipes
Beyond the anti-theft exercise, GWL is also intensifying repairs on ageing transmission pipelines from the Kpong Water Treatment Plant, which supplies water to Tema and parts of Accra East.
Mr Mutawakilu disclosed that nearly 40 per cent of water produced from Kpong is lost through leakages before reaching consumers due to deteriorating pipelines, some of which are more than 70 years old.
To address the challenge, the company has commenced fabrication and replacement of damaged 21-inch and 42-inch transmission pipelines at its Central Workshop.
The facility is currently fabricating 180 metres of 21-inch pipes and 162 metres of 42-inch pipes for installation along affected corridors.
According to the Managing Director, GWL has already invested about GH¢5 million into the repair works, with additional funding expected to accelerate the project and stabilise the water supply.
He said the interventions are critical as the company simultaneously undertakes the replacement of all five pumps at the Kpong Water Treatment Plant to improve production capacity and water pressure.
Mr Mutawakilu noted that strengthening the pipelines would help prevent future bursts and leakages once the new pumps become operational later this year.
He added that GWL had instituted continuous monitoring systems to ensure maintenance challenges do not deteriorate to current levels again.
“We are not going to wait for things to get worse before action is taken,” he stressed.
The interventions form part of GWL’s broader strategy to reduce non-revenue water, improve operational efficiency and ensure a reliable potable water supply to urban communities under the Government’s reset agenda.
