GWL begins spillage of water from Weija Dam

The Ghana Water Ltd (GWL) has started spilling excess water from the Weija Dam in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality in the Greater Accra Region.

The move, it said, was to secure the structural integrity of the facility with the onset of the rains.

Consequently, the GWL has cautioned residents living downstream of the dam to relocate to prevent any eventuality. 

Water level

A statement issued by the company and signed by the Head of Communications, Stanley Martey, said the current level of the dam was 45ft, thus, 2ft below the maximum safe operating level of 47ft.

The water level in the dam, it said, was increasing steadily and was being monitored on an hourly basis, adding that “to safeguard the structural integrity of the dam and to avert any potential disaster, minimal spillage has begun.”

“The management of the GWL is by this release sounding a word of caution to inhabitants downstream to evacuate the area to forestall any eventuality.”

The statement pointed out that the Ga West Municipal Assembly had been also advised to desilt the estuary to facilitate the smooth flow of excess water into the sea and to clear accumulated refuse along the course of the river.

“Residents downstream must heed all warnings from NADMO and other agencies mandated to manage disaster,” the statement stressed.

Season

With the onset of the rainy season, it said management of the GWL wished to inform the public, especially residents living downstream of the Weija Dam that spillage of excess water from the dam had commenced.

“The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), National Security, chiefs of Weija, Ogblogo, Tetegu, Gbawe, opinion leaders and all stakeholders, including institutions and organisations that have properties downstream are being informed of the development and current situation of the dam,” it said.

The statement named the communities likely to be affected to include Tetegu, Ogblogo, Pambros Salt, Lower McCarthy Hill, Lower Weija, Bojo Beach, Adakope and surrounding communities.

The management of the GWL, therefore, urged the public to cooperate fully in the execution of the exercise to prevent a recurrence of past disasters.

“We kindly request that all affected residents remain cooperative and adhere to any safety instructions issued by the municipal assembly to ensure their safety and prevent any untoward incidents,” it said.

Component

The Weija Dam, which serves as a key component in the supply of potable water to large parts of Accra, has a history of such precautionary spillage events during the rainy season.

In past years, similar exercises have led to the displacement of residents in low-lying areas such as Glefe, Tetegu, Ogblogo, and parts of Weija and Gbawe.

In 2022, for instance, hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate their homes when the dam was breached following torrential rains, leading to flash floods that damaged property and disrupted transportation routes.

The annual risk has become a point of concern for local authorities and residents alike, with repeated calls for the development of long-term flood mitigation measures and improved early warning systems.