By Daniel Donkor
The Bono Regional Office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has assured residents of Sunyani that water supplied from the Abesim Treatment Plant is safe for consumption, following rigorous assessments prompted by weeks of public concerns over water quality and supply disruptions.
The intervention forms part of the Commission’s mandate to safeguard consumer interests and ensure that potable water delivered by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) meets national safety standards.
A joint technical team drawn from PURC’s Head Office, its Bono Regional Office, and the Commission’s Water Directorate, working alongside officials of GWCL, undertook comprehensive testing of both raw and treated water at the facility.
The Bono Regional Manager of PURC, Patrick Antwi, said samples were collected directly from the Tano River, the treatment plant’s primary source, as well as from treated water distributed to households.
“We visited the site alongside Ghana Water Limited officials and collected samples from both the raw water source and the treated supply,” Antwi explained. “While turbidity levels had improved significantly compared to earlier observations, our assessment extended beyond clarity to examine the full composition and safety of the water.”
PURC’s action follows weeks of acute water shortages across Sunyani, where residents endured prolonged dry taps that disrupted domestic and economic activities. During an earlier inspection in May 2026, PURC identified elevated turbidity levels at the Abesim plant, an issue that hampered treatment processes and contributed to supply challenges.
At the time, the Commission pledged a more thorough investigation, including laboratory analysis by specialists from its Accra-based Water Directorate, to conclusively determine water quality.
Speaking after the latest inspection, Patrick Antwi confirmed that all laboratory results met the required standards for potable water, effectively restoring public confidence in the system.
“I can confidently state that the results from all tests conducted were satisfactory. The water meets the required standards for drinking, and consumers can safely use it,” Mr. Antwi affirmed.
He was quick to note, however, that the exercise represents only an initial phase of ongoing regulatory oversight.
“This is not a one-off exercise. We will return with a team that will spend a longer period here, conducting random sampling to ensure consistency in water quality and adherence to treatment standards,” he added.
Mr. Antwi further explained that the earlier supply disruptions were largely driven by high turbidity levels in the Tano River, which complicated treatment processes at the plant. With conditions now stabilising, GWCL is expected to resume full-scale production and restore regular water supply to affected communities.
“Now that turbidity levels have improved, we expect full production by Ghana Water Limited to continue, and consumers should receive water regularly,” he stated. “The plant remains operational and has not been shut down. Water is currently flowing into homes.”
Despite the progress, the Commission is urging residents to remain vigilant and report any irregularities in supply.
“If any consumer is not receiving water, they have every right to bring it to our attention. We will investigate and ensure that the necessary corrective measures are taken,” Mr. Antwi assured.
Reaffirming its commitment to public service delivery, the PURC emphasised that it will maintain strict oversight of GWCL operations to guarantee efficiency, reliability, and safety in water distribution.
“We remain vigilant and will continue monitoring Ghana Water Limited to ensure smooth production and consistent supply. Our priority is to guarantee that every consumer receives safe and adequate water,” the Commission stated.
The latest findings bring much-needed relief to residents of Sunyani, marking a turning point after weeks of uncertainty and reinforcing the critical role of regulatory institutions in protecting essential public services.
