Teshie–Nungua water shortage worsens into public health crisis as desalination plant remains shut
A prolonged and acute water shortage in Accra’s Teshie-Nungua area has developed into a major public health concern, as health facilities warn of rising infection risks and residents struggle under worsening living conditions.
The situation is linked to the continued closure of the Teshie-Nungua Desalination Plant, a key source of potable water, which has left several communities without dependable water supply for months. Heavily affected areas include Teshie, Nungua, Baatsona, Spintex, Sakumono and La.
The desalination facility, operated to convert seawater into drinking water, was shut down by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in October 2025 due to outstanding debts and unresolved contractual disputes with the operators. Although GWCL pledged a swift resolution and interim relief measures, conditions on the ground have steadily worsened.
The impact is now evident in health centres such as the Camp 2 Health Centre in Teshie, where nurses say the absence of running water has crippled basic sanitation. Staff are reportedly forced to reuse unwashed bedsheets and leave toilets unusable for extended periods.
One nurse explained that without water to flush toilets immediately, waste accumulates, increasing the risk of infection. Health workers have also resorted to using their own money to purchase sachet water for patient care, a temporary measure they say cannot be sustained. The lack of adequate water has made it difficult to observe hygiene protocols, exposing both patients and staff to serious health risks.
Another nurse noted that the shortage often forces staff to rely excessively on hand sanitizers due to the absence of water, a practice that is neither ideal nor safe in the long term.
Outside healthcare facilities, residents face daily hardships as they travel long distances to obtain water, sometimes spending up to 20 cedis a day on gallons. The shortage has also pushed up the cost of sachet water, placing additional financial pressure on households and heightening concerns about potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases as proper hygiene becomes increasingly difficult.
GWCL had earlier explained that the plant was shut down to prevent further contractual complications and safeguard the facility, assuring the public that operations would resume quickly. However, the prolonged delay has turned what began as a service disruption into a serious health emergency, leaving affected communities uncertain about when regular water supply will be restored.
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