The water-pumping machine serving the Tamale metropolis and its environs is on the verge of collapse. One of the two pumping machines producing water to the area has broken down, thus putting pressure on the remaining one to function below capacity. The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) would need about eleven million gallons of water daily to be able to meet the demands of its customers in the area.

Currently, the pumping machine serving Tamale and other areas from Dalon, produces less than four-point-three million gallons of water daily. The Manager for Tamale East of the Ghana Water Company Limited, Yakubu Alhassan disclosed this to newsmen, representative of traditional rulers, and opinion leaders when he conducted them round the water plant at Dalon in the Tolon-Kumbungu. The low production capacity, Mr Alhassan stated, is the reason the GWCL rationalises water delivery in the Metropolis and its surroundings.

Mr Alhassan lamented over frequent powe! r outage which he said affects water delivery and explained that Management is doing everything possible under the constraints to discharge its duties efficiently. The Acting station Officer at Dalong indicated that since the inception of the plant in 1972 it has not been changed hence it has become obsolete and constantly breaks down, thus affecting the supply of water. Mr Alhassan hinted that plans are however advanced by the government to expand the site. This he noted would help reduce the perennial water shortage in the Metropolis and appealed to the inhabitants to exercise restraint and adjust themselves to the current predicament.

The Regional Administrative Manager of GWCL, Cletus Amoah advised fish farmers to desist from using chemicals in trapping fish since this affects the water source. He also cautioned those who farm near the banks of the water source to desist from it, saying as a result of their act the company spends a lot of money to import chemicals from Europe to! treat the water. Mr. Amoah urged individuals to volunteer information of people who engage in illegal connection, to the company for a reward of 200 thousand cedis, promising that their identity would not be disclosed.