The Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Adam Mutawakilu, has sounded a stark alarm: the company is losing a staggering 73 million gallons of treated water every single day—equivalent to half of what is produced in the Greater Accra Region. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on August 6, 2025, Mutawakilu disclosed that although 140 million gallons are produced daily, only 67 million gallons can be accounted for by the utility—leaving a massive, unexplained deficit.
This crisis is compounded nationwide: GWL reports that only 48% of its total water production is accounted for through legitimate channels, meaning more than half is lost to a combination of theft, illegal connections, tampering with meters, and faulty infrastructure. Mutawakilu characterized the situation as “very terrible,” warning that persistent losses are “undermining the company’s ability to fund operations or sustain service delivery”.
A deeper dive reveals the root causes:
- Theft and illegal tapping: Residents and unscrupulous operators are bypassing meters or directly tapping into pipelines. This not only depletes supply but erodes revenue for reinvestment and maintenance.
- Aging infrastructure: Leaks—often from corroded or poorly maintained pipes—continue to bleed water away silently, contributing to non-revenue losses.
- Tampering and poor monitoring: Manipulated meters and inadequate surveillance systems mean even recorded consumption may not reflect reality.
The impact is profound: with only 67 million gallons generating potential billing revenue, GWL faces a crippling shortfall in funds needed for upgrades, expansion, and ensuring reliable service across the capital and beyond.
Mutawakilu urged a multi-pronged response. Strict enforcement against illegal connections is essential, as is community cooperation in reporting offenders. Investment in infrastructure rehabilitation—including proactive leak detection and network repairs—is critical. Enhanced metering and revenue management systems could stem further losses and improve financial stability.
If unchecked, the losses jeopardize both access to safe water and the financial health of the utility. GWL’s ability to service loans, maintain treatment plants, or expand to underserved areas could be severely constrained.
Ultimately, the MPI’s account—losing 73 million gallons daily in Accra alone and nearly 52% of total production nationwide—highlights a water utility in crisis. For citizens, unreliable supply and escalating tariffs may be the lived outcome. For GWL, the call to action is clear: sealing leaks, securing infrastructure, and plugging illegal taps are urgent priorities if Ghana is to safeguard its water future.
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