PRESS STATEMENT ON END OF FREE WATER ISSUED IN ACCRA ON 23 DECEMBER 2020

With reference  to the Presidential directive  on provision  of Free  Water to Ghanaians  from April  to December  2020,  as part  of measures  to prevent  the  spread  of COVID-19  in the country,  Community  Water and Sanitation  Agency  (CWSA) and the Ministry  of Sanitation and Water Resources, wish to inform all customers in rural communities and small towns that effective Thursday  31st December, 2020,  the provision of Free Water to Ghanaians  comes to an end.

 

In this regard,  customers  of CWSA,  and all other water services providers  in the rural Subsector  namely;  Private   Water  Providers,   Water  &  Sanitation   Management   Committees (WSMTs)  and  NGOs,  as well  as the  general  public  should  please  note  that,  effective  1st January   2021,   the   monthly   payment   of  bills   for   water   consumed   will   become   the responsibility   of the  customers  and  not  Government  of Ghana.  All  categories  of water services  providers  who  participated  in  the  provision  of Free  Water  within the designated period are also to note that CWSA will not accept bills on water consumed by their customers from 1st January 2021. They are therefore advised to revert to the former methods  of billing and collection of payment from customers.

 

CWSA  also wishes to inform all consumers  in rural communities  and small towns that the Agency’s   Water   System   Management   Staff   (WSMS)   will   resume   full   operations   in connection   with  billing,  meter  reading   and  revenue   collection   from  customers   at  the designated places as was done before the commencement  of the Free Water. These staff will identify themselves  appropriately  and observe all the Covid-19 protocols within the premises of customers.

 

The Agency wishes customers to note however that,  observance of the covid-19 protocols  at all public standpipes manned by vendors as well as all premises of the Water System Offices will be strictly enforced.  Community members are therefore reminded to continue to observe the following preventive instructions at public standpipes:

 

• Water Vendors  will  revert  to  normal  opening  hours  for the  provision  of  water  as previous.
• Water Vendors  will  continue  to  serve  one  consumer  at  a  time  and  ensure  the observance of social distancing protocols in force to avoid crowding at all times.
• Where consumers fail to observe social distancing protocols and mass up at the stand pipe, the vendor will temporarily close the tap until order is restored to save lives.

 

Community Water and Sanitation Agency would like to assure its customers of continuous supply of safe water and quality services.

 

The  Agency  and  the  Ministry  of Sanitation  and  Water  Resources  express  their  sincere gratitude to all Customers and Water Services Providers  for their cooperation  towards the implementation  of the presidential  directive of Free Water to rural communities  and small towns throughout the nine months period.

 

On behalf of the Sector Minister, Board and Management of CWSA, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2021.

 

Pauline Tambra (Mrs.)

Chief Public Relations Manager

 

Lick there to download files: End of Free Water, CWSA

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