Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has issued penalties and outstanding bills totaling GH¢8.6 million following the discovery of hundreds of illegal water connections across the country, of which GH¢2.1 million has already been recovered.

The Managing Director of GWL, Adam Mutawakilu, disclosed at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday that intensified revenue protection operations between August 2024 and December 2025 uncovered widespread illegal water use, resulting in substantial commercial losses for the utility.

According to Mutawakilu, 217 illegal connections were identified during that period, with ongoing inspections and audits detecting a further 239 illegal connections to date. The violations included direct taps into transmission lines, meter bypassing, tampering, and unauthorized extensions of supply to commercial operations without billing.

“These practices convert treated water into zero revenue, while the Company continues to bear the full costs of treatment, pumping, chemicals, and maintenance,” he stated.

Out of the GH¢8.6 million charged, about GH¢3 million was traced to just two large-scale clients whose operations bypassed proper metering and billing systems over extended periods.

Mutawakilu said that while recovery efforts are ongoing, the GH¢2.1 million retrieved so far demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted enforcement backed by accurate data and legal support.

He described the findings as alarming but necessary, noting that illegal connections not only deprive GWL of revenue but also compromise water pressure and supply reliability, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

Beyond financial losses, the Managing Director warned that unauthorized connections pose public health risks, as unregulated pipes can contaminate treated water.

The challenge of illegal connections is part of a broader issue of non-revenue water, which continues to undermine the financial sustainability of GWL. As of December 2024, non-revenue water nationally stood at 52 percent, meaning that more than half of the treated water produced could not be accounted for.

Nationally, out of 220 million gallons of water supplied daily, roughly 114 million gallons are lost through leakages, theft, meter inaccuracies, and billing anomalies, leaving only 106 million gallons generating revenue. In the Accra–Tema Metropolitan Area, of 137 million gallons supplied daily, only 66 million gallons were accounted for.

Mutawakilu attributed the losses to both technical and commercial factors, noting that 22 percent stemmed from aging infrastructure, bursts, and leaks, while 78 percent were due to commercial losses such as illegal connections, meter bypassing, and water theft.

“These losses translate into wasted chemicals, electricity, and labor, creating a financially unsustainable situation,” he said.

He also highlighted rising customer indebtedness as a major constraint, with outstanding arrears across various categories running into billions of cedis nationwide. Unpaid bills limit the Company’s ability to maintain infrastructure, procure treatment chemicals, pay electricity bills, and expand services to underserved communities.

“With unpaid bills, our capacity to deliver reliable water is compromised,” Mutawakilu said.

National daily water demand stands at 350 million gallons, but existing treatment facilities can only produce 220 million gallons, leaving a daily deficit of 130 million gallons.

To address these challenges, GWL has intensified revenue protection operations and expanded digital payment platforms to make compliance easier for customers. The Company is also focused on customer education and regularization, providing offenders the chance to legalize connections and enter structured payment arrangements.

Mutawakilu emphasised that the approach is corrective rather than punitive, aimed at restoring fairness, accountability, and sustainability in the water supply system. “Every cedi lost through illegal connections directly reduces our capacity to improve services,” he said, noting that recovered funds are being reinvested into operational needs.

He called on the public to report suspected illegal connections, assuring that whistleblowers will be protected, and urged customers with outstanding arrears to engage early with the Company, highlighting that flexible payment options are available for those facing genuine financial difficulties.