By Emmanuel Bamfo 
Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has once again been forced to shut down the Kyebi Water Treatment Plant in the Eastern Region. The closure comes after extreme pollution from illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, sent turbidity levels in the Birim River soaring to unmanageable heights.
The sudden shutdown leaves thousands of residents across Kyebi and surrounding communities in Abuakwa South without clean pipe-borne water. Engineers at the facility confirmed that pumping heavily silted, mud-choked water risks permanently damaging expensive treatment machinery.
Plant operators explain that the raw water from the Birim River has turned into thick brown sludge due to heavy gold-washing along the riverbanks. Treating such heavily contaminated water requires excessive chemical inputs, making production both financially unsustainable and dangerous.
When turbidity levels spike beyond maximum safety thresholds, plant filters clog instantly. Continuing production under these conditions threatens total system failure, leaving management with no option but to cut off supply until the river clears.
Community leaders and traditional authorities, including the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, have repeatedly voiced deep frustration over the destruction of the historic Birim River. Residents now depend on expensive sachet water or unsafe streams for everyday household chores.
Local officials emphasize that a few individuals making illegal profits from gold mining should not compromise the fundamental right of an entire town to drink clean water. The situation continues to strain household budgets as families search for alternative water sources daily.
Environmental advocates and civic groups are demanding swift police action and tougher enforcement from the Minerals Commission task force. Stakeholders insist that arresting illegal miners operating near river bodies remains the only way to safeguard critical water infrastructure.
Ghana Water Limited assures the public that operations will resume as soon as river turbidity drops to safe processing levels. Meanwhile, citizens urge state security agencies to permanently clear illegal miners from the Birim basin to secure their future.
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Source: Ghana News Page