The Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has requested regulatory approval for a 281 percent increase in its water tariff, proposing a jump from GH¢5.28 to GH¢20.09 per cubic meter. The company says the sharp hike is necessary to clear its debt and cope with rising operational costs, including pollution of raw water sources and foreign exchange pressures on imported equipment and chemicals. If approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), the adjustment will apply from 2025 to 2029.
Water and Power Demands
At a public hearing, GWL’s Manager in Charge of Monitoring, Michael Klutse, stated that the company cannot continue to deliver reliable services at current tariff levels. He insisted that without this adjustment, sustaining a consistent water supply and funding infrastructure expansion will be difficult.
Meanwhile, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) have proposed a dedicated tariff to fund street lighting nationwide. Both utilities are already pushing for major tariff increases.
ECG is seeking a 224 percent adjustment in its distribution charge, while NEDCo is demanding a 171 percent hike to cover what it describes as unsustainable operational costs. In addition, NEDCo has called for the removal of the lifeline tariff bracket, which currently cushions low-income households. The company argues that the current arrangement is no longer viable due to its high fixed and variable costs.