Kumasi Water Supply Disrupted as Owabi Plant Shuts Down After Heavy Rains Wash Sediment into Source

The Owabi Water Treatment Plant in the Ashanti Region has been temporarily shut down after heavy rainfall washed large volumes of sediment into its water source, cutting supplies to parts of the Greater Kumasi metropolis, Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has announced.

The shutdown took effect at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2026, according to a statement issued by GWL's Ashanti Regional Management . The company said the sediment accumulation had disrupted the treatment process, necessitating emergency cleaning of the treatment facilities as a precautionary measure to ensure the plant continues to produce clean and safe drinking water that meets required standards .

Affected Communities

The communities experiencing supply disruptions include Asuoyeboah, Tanoso, Apatrapa, Pokukrom, Bokankye, Nyankyereniase, Esaase, Akropong, Mfensi, Twedie, Abuakwa, Maakro, Mim, and Nkwakom. Others are Nkawie, Toase, Afari, Wioso, Mpasatia, Abrepo Asuobonteng, Bronikrom, parts of Bohyen, the Military Barracks, and surrounding areas served by the plant .

GWL said the cleaning exercise is expected to be completed by Friday, November 13, 2026, after which water production will resume. Supply to affected communities will be restored progressively as the distribution system stabilises .

"Management sincerely regrets the inconvenience this temporary shutdown may cause and appeals to affected customers for their patience and understanding," the statement said .

A Symptom of a Deeper Crisis

The emergency shutdown is the latest manifestation of a long-standing environmental problem at the Owabi Dam. Earlier this year, GWL disclosed that the dam is approximately 75 percent silted, while the larger Barekese Dam—which supplies about 80 percent of Kumasi's drinking water—has lost roughly 40 percent of its storage capacity .

Dr. Hanson Mensah-Akutteh, Chief Manager for Ashanti Production at GWL, warned in April that the situation was approaching crisis point. "If there is a severe climate change dryness or drought, it is possible that the whole of Kumasi will be out of water," he said .

The siltation is driven by deforestation, unregulated land use, and encroachment on riverbanks and wetlands around the catchment areas. Plastic waste carried into the dam during rainfall compounds the problem, forcing GWL staff to manually clear debris .

GWL Managing Director Adam Mutawakilu said in April that the utility had applied to the Ministry of Finance for authorisation to dredge both dams, a process that would restore depth by removing accumulated sediment. Without such intervention, he cautioned that Kumasi could face critical water shortages within three years .

Power Fluctuations Compound the Challenge

Beyond siltation, GWL has cited unstable electricity supply as a significant constraint on water production. Dr. Mensah-Akutteh said the treatment plants, designed to operate 24 hours a day, sometimes run for only 14 to 16 hours due to power fluctuations, resulting in production losses of up to 84 percent .

The utility has been engaging the Electricity Company of Ghana for a dedicated transformer to stabilise power supply to the treatment facilities .

As Kumasi's population continues to grow and rainfall patterns become increasingly unpredictable, the Owabi shutdown serves as a reminder that the city's water security rests on infrastructure and ecosystems that are under mounting strain. For the residents of Abuakwa, Tanoso, and the dozens of other affected communities, the immediate concern is when the taps will run again. The longer-term question—whether Kumasi can secure a sustainable water future—remains unanswered.