Managing Director of Guma Valley Water Company, Maada S. Kpenge has revealed that Freetown may experience water shortage next year due to early cessation of water spillage in this year’s wet season.
“Spillage ends today at the Guma Dam. It is going to be a long dry season.” Kpenge tweeted.
Communication Manager of Guma, Alie Kabba also confirmed water shortage next year during an interview with newsmen recently. Kabba said this is the first time for cessation of early spillage in twelve years.
He said what this means is that the Company will be forced to use reserved water early thereby leading to potential shortage.
Already parts of the capital experience water shortage with some communities only accessing pipe borne water twice a week even in the wet season.
The Guma Dam is located in a forested area in the Rural District of the country’s Western Area. The location was ideal due to thick forest that blanket the area but the Company said human activities like deforestation around the dam is affecting its operations. The Guma Dam is the city’s largest reservoir and was built to serve a population of about 300,000.
There are plans to build another reservoir to capture the spilled water from the main dam but the Company is struggling to get the necessary funds. Kabba said the Company is currently seeking funds to build another facility close to River Number 2.
Although the said new facility could not fully solve the intermittent cut in water supply in Freetown, experts believe that it could help in solving acute water shortage in some communities in the city.
