Illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, along the River Pra are severely affecting water treatment operations at the Daboase Water Treatment Plant, which supplies potable water to communities in the Takoradi area of the Western Region.
Drone footage obtained by Channel One TV shows illegal mining activities along the River Pra, directly opposite the Intake Pumping Station at Daboase and downstream of the Bosomase Intake.
The activities are obstructing the flow of water from the river into the treatment plant while further polluting the raw water supplied to the facility.
As of Friday, August 14, 2026, raw water turbidity at the plant had risen to 11,955 NTU, significantly exceeding the permitted level of 500 NTU.
The high turbidity levels are putting additional pressure on the treatment process and could affect the plant’s ability to maintain a consistent supply of potable water to communities in the Takoradi area.
The high turbidity is putting additional pressure on the plant’s treatment operations.
Currently, only two of the four pumps at the Daboase Intake are operational.
The development is raising concerns about the sustainability of water production if local authorities look on for illegal mining activities along the River Pra to continue unabated.
Source: Citi Newsroom
