Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has recovered GHS 3.7 million from customers involved in illegal water connections and meter bypasses. This collection is part of a nationwide revenue mobilisation and anti-water theft exercise. The crackdown aims to reduce significant financial losses for the state-owned water utility company.
The exercise, supported by National Security, has so far uncovered nearly 400 illegal connections in Accra alone. These illicit activities include unauthorised taps, meter bypasses, and unmetered water offtakes along major transmission lines. GWL detected total liabilities of GHS 16 million, with GHS 3.7 million already recovered in cash.
This initiative fits into Ghana's broader economic story by addressing inefficiencies and revenue leakages in state-owned enterprises. Non-revenue water, which includes water lost through leaks and theft, represents a significant financial drain. Reducing this loss helps improve the financial health of GWL and ensures better public service delivery. The company formed a Revenue Enhancement Team in August 2025 to tackle these issues. The team expanded from three operational units to 10 units in January to strengthen enforcement.
Mr. Adam Mutawakilu, Managing Director of GWL, disclosed these figures during an inspection tour. He stated that investigations revealed water theft and pipeline leakages were major factors in GWL's high non-revenue water levels. Mr. Mutawakilu warned that customers failing to settle their outstanding obligations will face prosecution and disconnection.
The ongoing efforts to curb water theft and repair infrastructure will likely improve GWL's revenue streams and operational efficiency. Investors and market watchers will monitor the impact of these measures on the company's financial performance. Reliable water supply is also crucial for economic activities and public health in Ghana's urban centres. GWL's commitment to continuous monitoring suggests a long-term improvement strategy.
Illegal connections worsen water shortages in parts of Accra and Tema. Large volumes of treated water cannot be properly accounted for before reaching consumers. This situation, combined with leaks from aging pipelines, affects supply reliability in these areas. Assessments by GWL show that close to 40 per cent of water from the Kpong Water Treatment Plant is lost through leaks before reaching Tema.
Investigations identified the 21-inch steel transmission line, now over 70 years old, as a major source of these losses. The line has developed multiple weak points and perforations due to operational stress and delayed maintenance. GWL has started fabricating and replacing damaged sections of 21-inch and 42-inch pipes at its Central Workshop.
The workshop is fabricating 180 metres of 21-inch pipes and 162 metres of 42-inch pipes for installation. These pipes are produced in six-metre and 12-metre sections to ease transportation and installation. The workshop also performs emergency repairs when new leaks are detected on transmission lines. GWL has invested GHS 5 million into these fabrication works.
Mr. Mutawakilu noted these repairs are critical as GWL replaces all five pumps at the Kpong Water Treatment Plant. Strengthening pipeline integrity is essential to prevent bursts once the new pumps are operational. This comprehensive approach forms part of GWL’s efforts to reduce non-revenue water. The goal is to improve operational efficiency and ensure a reliable water supply to urban communities under the government’s reset agenda.