Safe Water Network, a non-governmental organisation in collaboration with three district assemblies has inaugurated Home Water Stations in three communities in the Ashanti Region.

The facilities, constructed in Ejisu-Juabeng, Sekyere South and Afigya Kwabre Districts at a cost of $ 200,000, are aimed at ensuring that residents in the communities have access to reliable and safe drinking water.

A statement signed by Madam Gloria Dzifa Aguze, Programme Associate, Safe Water Network and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the facility was funded by the Conrad N. Hilton, Newman’s Own Foundation, and the Stone Family Foundation and some in-kind contributions from the three participating communities.

Mr Charles Nimako, Country Director for Safe Water Network Ghana said the launch increased Safe Water Network’s operating footprint in the country to about 54 Home Water Stations, providing reliable safe water access to nearly 170,000 people in five regions.

“At Safe Water Network, we see water as a business and therefore work with local communities to build their capability to manage their water systems on a sustainable basis”, he added.

He said water coverage in rural areas in the Ashanti Region was estimated by the Community Water Sanitation Agency to be about 72 per cent with nearly one million people in the region without reliable safe water access.

Mr Nimako noted that for years, nearly 18,000 residents in these communities fetched drinking water from three boreholes leading to loss of productive time for school and other livelihood activities.

Nana Kwadwo Debrah, formerly with Friends of Water and River bodies, welcomed the initiative adding that “not only does this initiative solve the water problems in this community but the ensures job creation and improved productivity in livelihoods and time for school children”, he said.

He said water from the station would be sold at affordable rates and the revenue kept in a bank account to take care of operation, repair and maintenance expenses.

Officials of the district assemblies and traditional authorities from all the three participating communities were present at the launch and expressed their appreciation to Safe Water Network and their partners for the projects.

Nana Agyapong Debrah, representative of the Chief of Achinakrom said the residents used to walk for about a mile for water even when there was a boreholes, “but the initiative has brought big relief to the communities since it is a stone throw from our homes and merits the name Home Water indeed”.