The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has commissioned an ultra-modern water laboratory at its head office annex at GNAT Heights, Ridge, a suburb of Accra, the capital of Ghana.
The facility will enable them to test the quality of water supply by Ghana Water Company Limited to consumers.
At a brief ceremony to commission the facility, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Ishmael Ackah emphasised that the health of the water consumers drink is very important, stating that it can cause trouble for consumers and, therefore, needed to be taken seriously.
Dr Ackah said the commission recognises this and, therefore, invested in the laboratory to assure consumers.
According to him, there are times the commission receives complaints from consumers about the poor quality of water supplied to them by GWCL.
He said in most cases, the Commission relied on the services of the Water Resources Commission but said “Because of the huge task at the Water Resources Commission, it takes time before we receive results of our test. Also, it comes with a cost.”
Dr Ackah said the establishment of the water laboratory would ensure that complaints from consumers are resolved expeditiously.
“We want to be responsive in terms of performing our mandate and ensuring that we balance the interest of consumers and utilities,” he said.
Unlike electricity which is regulated, Dr Ackah noted that the water sector is not, stating that his outfit is, therefore, collaborating with the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to come out with a legal framework to regulate the sector.
He commended the commission’s water department and was hopeful that with the establishment of the laboratory, their work would be improved.
Commenting on the facility, the Director for Water Services & Performance Monitoring at PURC, Ing. Emmanuel Fiati, said the facility would enable them to do several tests including turbidity, colour content and PH of the water.
He added that the facility would help them speed up the resolution of complaints and guarantee the quality of water supply to consumers.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com