Ghana Water Ltd (GWL) has launched a nationwide campaign to combat the alarming rise in water theft, which includes illegal connections, meter bypassing, and direct pipeline tapping.
These unlawful practices have surged since late 2024, costing the company significant revenue and straining water infrastructure. GWL reports thousands of unauthorized connections across the country, with over 2,700 cases uncovered in the Accra-Tema Metropolitan Area alone. The company warns that these activities disrupt fair water distribution and hinder investments in system upgrades. “This is a deliberate act that undermines our efforts,” says Ing. Dr. Hadisu Alhassan, GWL’s Regional Production Manager for Accra-Tema.
One notable case involved a property near Ritz Junction, Agbogba Road, where three illegal service lines were discovered, with only one metered. The setup included concealed underground reservoirs supplying water to tanker operators, bypassing the billing system entirely. GWL’s Board Chairman, Mr. Eric Biliguo Adama, personally led the inspection, underscoring the company’s commitment to enforcement. “Illegal connections for commercial gain place an unfair burden on the network,” Dr. Alhassan emphasized. The company is also grappling with widespread meter theft, which disrupts billing and wastes treated water.
Regional teams have ramped up enforcement, with legal actions taken against offenders in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale. In Accra West, over 800 users face prosecution for ignoring grace periods to regularize their connections. The Ashanti Region has arrested five individuals for pipeline tapping, while a Tamale businessman was fined GHS 3,600 or a 12-month prison sentence for illegal pump installations. “These practices deny others access to water and delay critical projects,” says Mr. Padi Kwabena Narh, GWL’s PR Officer for the Ashanti Region. The company is also investigating potential collusion by staff, vowing strict consequences for complicity.
GWL is balancing enforcement with public education, urging citizens to report illegal activities and promoting lawful water use. “Water is a national asset, and collective stewardship is essential,” says Managing Director Hon. Adam Mutawakilu. The company is exploring community partnerships and incentive schemes for whistleblowers in hotspot areas. Meanwhile, GWL is investing in smart metering, digital billing, and infrastructure upgrades to improve efficiency and reduce losses. “Our goal is fairness, sustainability, and a resilient water system,” Mutawakilu adds.
The fight against water theft requires a united effort, GWL stresses. The company calls on citizens, policymakers, and community leaders to join the cause, emphasizing that every stolen litre affects someone else’s supply. With enforcement ongoing and public awareness growing, GWL remains determined to safeguard Ghana’s water resources.
“Report illegal connections, reject unlawful practices, and respect the pipe,” the company urges. The message is clear: water theft will not derail Ghana’s progress.
