Abstract:
Attempts at addressing the increasing water shortage problems in the Greater Accra Metropolitan
Area (GAMA) over the years have been biased towards supply management without critically
assessing the efficiency of water use from existing schemes of demand management. This study
sought to assess the current water demand and supply patterns, and how this affects wastewater
reuse options. It investigated whether socio-economic status as well as status of household water
supply in different income groups in the GAMA, specifically in East Legon, Dansoman Estates,
Ashale Botwe and Teshie influenced wastewater reuse. Based on available data from Ghana Water
Company Limited (GWCL), the demand for water in 2010 for GAMA was calculated to
be 469,171.68m 3 /day with a corresponding supply through its current rationing programme as
404,841.00m 3 /day. There was therefore a considerable deficit of 64,330.68m 3 /day justifying
analysis of coping mechanisms among residents.
Based on data collected using the mixed method mode of data collection, it is concluded that
respondents resorted to various coping mechanisms such as rain harvesting, borehole water use,
tanker and vendor services. Tanker service was most preferred by residents, because it was
considered reliable even though expensive. Rain harvesting was considered cheapest but
unreliable. Questionnaire responses among a total sample of purposely-selected 240 respondents
in four study localities indicated 80% usage. Of the 20% who were not reusing, 73.2%
w e r e w i l l i n g t o r e u s e wastewater. It was further observed that the use of wastewater
depend on income level and status of water supply. Further analysis of field data revealed that
wastewater was a cheap source, more readily available and suitable for non-potable uses only.
Nonetheless, wastewater reuse as a coping mechanism in the phase of increasing water demand
by the rapidly increasing urban population in the GAMA should not be developed at the
national level but at the individual and community levels with appropriate government support.
The study concluded that if this potential demand management measure of wastewater reuse is
properly advocated and implemented, Ghana would be in a good position to ultimately achieve her
Millennium Goal 7 of ensuring environmental sustainability on time. The study strongly
recommends that to address the problem in a holistic manner, all aspects of water demand,
supply and coping mechanisms should be tackled to ultimately benefit all stakeholders.
