Wulensi in the Nanumba South district in the Northern Region is on the verge of a water crisis.
The community shares its only water source with cattle which has the left them having to make do with almost milky-white water which has been contaminated with cow dung.
The water concerns have been aggravated by the fact the only dam serving the people of Wulensi is drying up.
Some residents in the area told Citi News they make do by putting alum in the water to separate the contaminants. But even then, they have to pour the water away after a day because of the stench.
“When we fetch the water, it is so muddy that we can not use it. We have put some alum into it for it to settle. You cannot use the following day because the smell of the water is so bad that you even have to wash the container. There are algae on the dam water; you need to push it aside before fetching.”
Some of the residents also blamed the traditional authorities in the area for permitting the cattle owners to water their animals at the dam.
“The traditional authorities here have permitted the herdsmen to drink from the dam. We have made several complaints to the chief through his elders, but nothing is happening. If we are not careful, shortly, the people of Wulensi will not have water to drink, and that will be a serious problem to us,” one resident said.
There are standpipes in the community, but for about two years, not a drop of water has flown through them.
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By: Mohammed Aminu Alabira/citinewsroom.com/Ghana