By Desmond Cudjoe
The €70 million Sekondi-Takoradi Water Supply Rehabilitation and Expansion Project, located at Daboase in the Wassa East District of the Western Region, is about 98% complete and is expected to become operational by May 2026, barring any unforeseen challenges.
The update was given during a working visit by the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, to assess progress on the project.
The new water treatment plant will have an installed capacity of 22 million gallons per day, replacing the existing facility, which produces only six million gallons per day.
Acknowledging the urgency of the project, the minister said the current output falls far short of demand in the rapidly growing Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis.
“I am aware that the plant currently produces an average of 16,000 gallons per day, which is woefully inadequate to meet the needs of a growing metropolis like Sekondi-Takoradi,” he said.
He assured residents that the government remains committed to addressing all outstanding challenges to ensure the plant’s smooth operation and timely completion.
One of the major challenges affecting the project has been high turbidity levels in the River Pra, the plant’s source of raw water, largely attributed to illegal mining activities.
Scope of work
The project, being executed by STRABAG AG, includes:
- The construction of a riverbed ramp and overflow weir on the River Pra to prevent seawater intrusion and ensure a stable flow of raw water with minimal sediment
- The construction of a new intake structure
- The installation of a dedicated overhead power line and a new substation to support plant operations
Final stage of testing
Project Manager for STRABAG AG, Vlad Falup, said the project has entered its final testing phase.
“We have installed six pumps ready to convey water to Takoradi, and we are currently testing the equipment to confirm its readiness for water treatment,” he said.
He added that once the remaining challenges are resolved, the plant will begin supplying potable water to Sekondi-Takoradi and surrounding communities.
