Assessing Existing Water Demand and Supply Patterns and Reuse Options as Additional Sources of Water in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA)

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.