LEDZOKUKU MUNICIPALITY FACES CHRONIC WATER SHORTAGE (PAGE 29, MARCH 19, 2010)

PARTS of the Tema metropolis and the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipality have since last year experienced irregular flow of water, creating problems for residents.
Tema, for example, was uniquely planned and therefore water flows seamlessly as every household operates a water closet facility. However, in the Ledzokuku Krowor municipality, residents have to be served from water tankers, which are also irregular.
Some residents interviewed have, as a result, appealed to the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to situate jumbo water tanks at selected areas to serve the public in times of water shortage.
They were of the view that the use of modern technology could help preserve water over a long period of time without fear of pollution and growth of fungus.
Those the Daily Graphic spoke with declared the need to use tanks produced with fibre technology instead of the galvanised and steel tanks.
It was gathered at the GWCL that provision of water had been the prerogative of the company, but the use of jumbo water tanks had been rather concentrated on rural communities .
The source said in 2008, the company imported some fiber glass tanks for some communities in the Volta Region, but after two weeks usage, the tanks developed leakages, leading to waste of resources .
It said beneficiaries from the fiber tanks were in the Sogakope , Dabala and Aflao communities in the Volta Region.
According to the GWCL, the fiber technology tank was not strong enough to withstand the climatic conditions in the country and could also not be repaired .
The source also saw the need to provide water to residents in times of shortage, but could not state the possibility of procuring the tanks.
A local company, Lanic Fiber Glass Technology Company at Pokuase, has confirmed that the imported fiber glass water tank was not strong enough for the country’s climate .
The company has denied that fiber glass technology could not be used in the country, and therefore, called on the GWCL to use the local product that had been reinforced to stand the country’s weather.
The Chief Executive of Lanic Fiber Glass Technology , Mr Ben Lamptey, stated that the company manufactured a ‘durable’ jumbo fiber glass water tank capable of containing 50,000 gallons of water on a pilot basis to the Tema International School about two years ago .
The tank, which was produced with fiber glass technology, was reinforced sufficiently to stand the tropical weather of the country with a guarantee period of 10 years.
Mr Lamptey explained that the technology used in the production of the fiber products by the company was unique and made the products durable .
He stated that fiber glass was a reinforced plastic and improved technology over galvanised, aluminium and steel.
Mr Lamptey appealed to the GWCL to adopt the use of items produced locally for longevity .
Mr Lamptey said the Lanic company undertook a study and found out that the burst tanks did not have the tropical climatic component to enable it to cope with the weather.
Mr Lamptey said for about two years since the tank was installed at the school it has continued to serve the students and had not developed any dent .
He said with the new technology, the company had gone into other products, including transparent roofing sheets , oil tanks, fiber glass furniture, phone booths ,cold store and boats, among others .
Mr Lamptey stated that products from fiber glass were corrosion resistant, non conductive, non magnetic and low maintenance.
The Maintenance Manager of the Tema International School, Mr Alex Tetteh, who spoke to the Daily Graphic at the school during a visit to look at the tank, said the Lanic fiber glass water tank installed some two years ago had helped to solve the water problems of the school .
The over 350 children population had on several occasions been sent home because of water shortage.
He noted that taps in the Tema metropolis sometimes ceased flowing unannounced for some days and had affected smooth operations at the school .
Mr Tetteh said since when the school procured the tank ,it had not had cause to effect any maintenance or repair work .
He confirmed that the tank was hygienic and did not grow fungus and did not rust, noting that the company once a while went to service it to ensure the water remained clean for human use.