GWL loses 114 million gallons of water daily to non-revenue losses

The Managing Director for Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Mr. Adam Mutawakilu, has disclosed that currently the nation loses 114 million gallons of treated water every day to Non-Revenue Water (NRW), posing a major threat to the company’s financial sustainability and service delivery.

Adam Mutawakilu revealed this at a press briefing on Wednesday, 4th February 2026, during the inauguration of ten Revenue Enhancement Teams nationwide, describing NRW as one of the most critical challenges confronting the utility company.

“Beyond customer indebtedness, another major threat to sustainability is Non-Revenue Water,” the Managing Director stated.

According to him, as of December 2024, Ghana Water Limited’s Non-Revenue Water level stood at 52 percent, meaning more than half of the water produced does not generate income.

He explained that nationally, out of approximately 220 million gallons of water supplied daily, 114 million gallons cannot be accounted for, leaving only 106 million gallons properly recorded and billed.

The situation is more difficult in the Accra–Tema Metropolitan Area, where demand continues to outstrip supply.

“In Accra–Tema alone, of the 137 million gallons supplied daily, 71 million gallons cannot be accounted for, leaving only 66 million gallons accounted for,” Mr. Mutawakilu disclosed.

He attributed the losses to both technical and commercial factors, noting that technical losses account for about 22 per cent, largely due to old decades’ pipeline leakages and bursts, while commercial losses make up about 78 per cent, arising from illegal connections, meter bypassing, billing anomalies, and water theft.

Adam Mutawakilu warned that illegal connections, in particular, undermine fairness and strain the entire distribution system.

“Illegal connections convert treated water into zero revenue. They reduce pressure for law-abiding customers and undermine fairness in the system,” he said.

He added that every unaccounted gallon represents wasted chemicals, electricity, and manpower, stressing that the situation is no longer sustainable.

“Every illegal connection means lost bills, lost chemicals, lost electricity, and lost revenue. This situation is simply unsustainable,” he emphasized.

The Managing Director said the newly inaugurated Revenue Enhancement Teams will play a key role in addressing these losses through targeted inspections, meter audits, regularization of illegal connections, and closer collaboration with GWL’s commercial and technical units.

He reiterated that while enforcement is necessary, the company is also prioritizing customer convenience through digital payment platforms and flexible payment plans to encourage voluntary compliance.

“Our goal is compliance, not confrontation, and sustainability for the benefit of all,” Adam Mutawakilu stated.

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