Accra: Use of potable water through illegal means and methods is increasing at an alarming rate nationwide. This has become a complex challenge for Ghana Water Ltd. (GWL) and deprives the company of the much-needed revenue, strains existing infrastructure, and disrupts fair and sustainable service delivery.
According to Ghana News Agency, these illegal activities include but are not limited to the bypass of meters, direct tapping into pipelines, use of inline pumping equipment, and the growing theft of water meters, amongst others. These unlawful activities have significantly increased between late 2024 and mid-2025. In response, GWL has scaled up a nationwide revenue enhancement and enforcement campaign aimed at curbing these practices and safeguarding Ghana's water supply.
In recent months, thousands of unauthorized connections have been reported in all operational areas. This contributes to loss of revenue because water produced, transmitted, and distributed cannot be 'accounted for' by GWL, due to theft, leakages, or unmetered usage. GWL maintains that the impact of illegal connections is not only financial, but it also affects efficient distribution of water, the integrity of infrastructure, and the company's ability to invest in system upgrades and expansion to improve service delivery.
The numbers tell a concerning story. In the Accra Tema Metropolitan Area alone, over 2,700 illegal connections were uncovered between the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. These include unauthorized service lines, bypass of customer meters, and several reconnections made by customers after lawful disconnections for nonpayment of bills.
In one widely reported case, it was detected that a property at Power Land near Ritz Junction, Agbogba Road, had three water service lines, out of which only one had a meter. The other two supplied tanker operators, therefore circumventing the entire billing system. The setup included large underground reservoirs concealed behind a wall.
Ing. Dr. Hadisu Alhassan, Regional Production Manager for the Accra-Tema Metropolitan Area, states, 'This is a deliberate act that directly undermines our efforts to ensure revenue recovery and fair distribution.' He adds, 'More importantly, the use of such connections for commercial gain puts an unfair burden on the entire network.'
While unauthorized connections draw attention, the theft of water meters is quietly draining GWL's operational resources. These devices, essential for exact billing and consumption monitoring and measurement, have become prime targets for theft. Since the beginning of 2025 alone, thousands of water meters have been reported stolen nationwide.
'Meter theft is an economic crime with real consequences for both the utility and customers,' Adam Mutawakilu, Managing Director for GWL, explains. He further remarks, 'When a meter is stolen, we lose not only equipment but also the ability to measure and manage usage efficiently.'
GWL's regional teams have stepped up enforcement activities, reflecting a unified front across the country. From Accra to Kumasi and Tamale, illegal users are being found, engaged, and, where necessary, prosecuted. In Accra West, the company started legal action against over 800 users who failed to take advantage of a grace period to regularize their service.
'We gave ample time for users to come forward, and many did, but those who ignored our efforts will now face the legal consequences. This is about fairness and protecting the integrity of the network,' Ms. Solace Akomeah, PR and Communications Manager for the Accra West Region, cautions.
In Tamale, the enforcement drive led to a successful prosecution. A 50-year-old businessman, Mr. Ibrahim Baako Alhassan, was convicted by the Circuit Court for illegally installing in-line pumps on GWL pipelines. He was fined GHS 3,600 or 12 months in prison and was directed to sign a bond to be of good behaviour.
While enforcement stays firm, GWL has consistently promoted a balanced approach-one that allows offenders to correct their actions while applying the law where necessary. 'Before resorting to legal action, we issue notices, extend grace periods, and educate the public on proper procedures. Unfortunately, when people choose to disregard these measures, we have no option but to apply the law,' says Hon. Adam Mutawakilu, Managing Director of the Ghana Water Ltd.
Beyond enforcement, GWL believes that lasting progress lies in building a culture of responsibility around water use. The company has intensified its public education campaigns to promote lawful access to water and encourage reporting of illegal activities.
Despite the scale of the challenge, GWL is optimistic about the road ahead. Strategic investments in upgrade of infrastructure, smart metering systems, digital billing, and leakage control are already in progress. Mr. Adam says: 'Our objective goes beyond catching offenders; we're building a smarter, more resilient water system, one that ensures fairness, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.'
