By Daniel Bampoe
Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has inaugurated ten Revenue Enhancement Teams nationwide in what management describes as a decisive intervention to strengthen the company’s finances, curb water theft, and improve reliable delivery of potable water to customers across the country.
Speaking at the official ceremony on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited Adam Mutawakilu said the initiative marks a turning point in the company’s efforts to protect critical infrastructure and ensure sustainable service delivery.
He stressed that although water remains a vital social good, its production and distribution require heavy financial investment in chemicals, electricity, skilled personnel, maintenance, and network expansion.
“Our mandate is sacred—to provide safe, reliable, and affordable potable water to every Ghanaian. Yet producing and delivering water is capital-intensive. Without sound revenue, there can be no sustainable service,” Mutawakilu noted.
Rising Costs and Aging Infrastructure
The Managing Director outlined a number of operational and financial challenges confronting Ghana Water in recent years, beginning with escalating operational costs.
He explained that treatment chemicals, electricity, fuel, spare parts, and maintenance expenses have risen sharply, making it increasingly difficult for the company to operate efficiently.
In addition, Ghana Water continues to grapple with aging pipelines and distribution networks, many of which were laid decades ago and are now prone to frequent bursts and leakages. According to management, every drop of treated water lost through leakages represents wasted chemicals, wasted energy, and lost income.
Demand-Supply Deficit Worsening
Beyond infrastructure challenges, Ghana Water is also struggling with a persistent national water deficit driven by climate variability, pollution of water bodies, siltation, and rapid urbanization.
Adam Mutawakilu revealed that national daily water demand currently stands at about 350 million gallons, while existing treatment plants can only produce 220 million gallons, leaving a deficit of 130 million gallons every day.
In the Accra–Tema Metropolitan Area alone, demand is estimated at 210 million gallons per day, while supply remains at 137 million gallons, creating a shortfall of 73 million gallons daily.
He said this gap continues to affect service reliability and equitable distribution, especially in densely populated urban centres.
Customer Indebtedness and Unpaid Bills
Another major challenge, the Managing Director noted, is growing customer indebtedness. Outstanding arrears across all customer categories have climbed into billions of cedis nationwide, weakening the company’s cash flow and limiting its ability to procure essential inputs and expand services.
“When bills are not paid, Ghana Water struggles to purchase chemicals, pay electricity, repair pumps, replace pipes, and extend water to new communities,” he said.
Non-Revenue Water Crisis at 52%
A key focus of the Revenue Enhancement initiative is Ghana Water’s high level of Non-Revenue Water (NRW)—water produced but not paid for due to leakages, theft, or billing losses.
As of December 2024, GWL recorded NRW levels of 52%, meaning that out of the 220 million gallons supplied daily nationwide, 114 million gallons cannot be accounted for, leaving only 106 million gallons properly recorded.
In the Accra–Tema area, out of 137 million gallons supplied daily, 71 million gallons remain unaccounted for, with only 66 million gallons accounted for.
Management explained that these losses stem from both technical and commercial sources:
22% from technical losses such as bursts and leakages
78% from commercial losses including illegal connections, meter bypassing, billing anomalies, and water theft
“Illegal connections convert treated water into zero revenue. They reduce pressure for law-abiding customers and undermine fairness,” the Managing Director warned.
Digital Transformation to Ease Compliance
The Managing Director emphasized that enforcement alone would not solve the problem, noting that Ghana Water has embarked on aggressive digitalization efforts over the past decade to make bill payments easier and more transparent.
Customers can now pay through mobile money, USSD, bank apps, and receive bills via SMS and email. The company has also expanded customer support through call centres, social media, and flexible payment plans for hardship cases.
Early Results: Illegal Connections Uncovered
The Revenue Enhancement Teams were first introduced in August 2025, and their work has already produced significant results.
Between August 2024 and December 2025, the teams uncovered:
217 illegal connections
239 illegal connections detected to date
GH¢8.6 million charged, including GH¢3 million from two clients
GH¢2.1 million recovered so far
Management described the figures as evidence of both the scale of commercial losses and the effectiveness of targeted interventions.
Expansion to Ten Teams Nationwide
Encouraged by the success of the initial three teams, Ghana Water has now expanded the programme by adding seven additional teams, bringing the total to ten operational Revenue Enhancement Teams across the country.
Their mandate includes improving revenue collection, reducing indebtedness, eliminating illegal connections, verifying meters, correcting billing anomalies, educating customers, and strengthening accountability.
Importantly, the Managing Director stressed that the teams are not meant to be punitive.
“We seek compliance, not confrontation. We seek fairness, not hardship. We seek sustainability for the benefit of all,” he said.
Call for Public Cooperation
Mutawakilu appealed to customers to pay their bills promptly, noting that every cedi collected supports chemical procurement, electricity payments, pipe replacements, network expansion, and improved service delivery.
He urged customers facing challenges to engage the company early, assuring that support mechanisms are available.
A New Chapter for Ghana Water
Concluding his address, the Managing Director said the inauguration of the Revenue Enhancement Teams marks the beginning of a new chapter defined by accountability, efficiency, innovation, and service excellence.
