A Joint Task Force formed by the Kumasi Metropolitan Environmental Health Department and the Association of Processed Drinking Water Producers has ordered the closure of four water processing centres.

They are Daily Hope Pure Water, at TUC, Blessed Treated Water at Adiebeba, the Heart in Jesus Pure Water, at New Amakom and the Clouds Fresh filtered water at Akwatialine. The centres, which were operating under unhygienic conditions, have not been registered with the Registrar-General's Department, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), the Ghana Standards Board (GSB), and the Foods and Drugs Board (FDB), to enable them operate. In addition they were not using the appropriate filters and gadgets, while their workers have not been medically screened and were working without protective materials such as gloves, aprons and masks.

The task force, which is expected to conduct routine inspection of the of water processors in the Metropolis started work on Monday. Mr Kwame Mensah, Chairman of the Association who briefed the Ghana News Agency said the exercise would last for two weeks after which it would be reviewed.

He said such monitoring is important since their products affect the health of the consuming public. Mr Don Wantungo, Environmental Technologist at the KMA who led the task force said the affected centres would have to fulfil all the requirements for producing water and said all those who violate the directive would be arrested and prosecuted.