No Water in Your Area? How to Report a Supply Problem in Ghana

A dry tap is more than an inconvenience—it is a disruption to daily life, health, and business. When water stops flowing, knowing exactly how and where to report the problem is your best tool for getting it fixed.

Your First Steps

When your taps run dry, the first step is to confirm whether the issue is a planned maintenance exercise or a system-wide technical problem.

Check for official announcements: Ghana Water Company Limited (GWL) usually informs the public when they interrupt supply for maintenance. According to a GWL Public Relations Officer, the company does not shut off water without informing residents, as it could lead to sanctions from the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) . They announce affected areas in advance to keep residents informed.

Look out for updates: GWL will often issue statements to announce temporary interruptions and advise affected customers to store water when available . You can find these announcements on the company’s social media platforms or through media reports . For example, in May 2026, they announced disruptions in 16 communities across western Accra due to technical problems at the Weija Treatment Plant .

If no announcement has been made and you are experiencing a shortage, you can proceed to report it.

How to Report a Water Supply Problem

1. Contact Ghana Water Company Limited (GWL) Directly

For most water supply issues, your first port of call is GWL’s customer service.

Call the GWL Call Centre: You can call the official GWL contact numbers to report the problem.

• Toll-Free Line (Telecel Networks): 0800 40 000 

• Alternative Lines: 0302218240, 0207385087, 0207385088, 0207385089, 0207385090 

If you are an essential service provider, such as a hospital or school, the company has urged you to contact them through the call centre for priority assistance and updates .

2. Reach Out to Your Assembly Member

If your calls to GWL are unsuccessful or if the problem is a long-standing issue in your area, the next step is to contact your local Assembly Member. They are a key link between you and the utility company. In some instances, GWL has advised essential service providers and the general public to liaise with their Assembly Members . Residents of the East Legon Hills, for example, escalated their water crisis to a formal petition after repeated, unsuccessful engagements with GWL officials .

3. Use Social Media and WhatsApp Channels

Ghana Water and the PURC are increasingly using digital channels to handle complaints.

GWL Social Media: The company has encouraged customers to follow its social media platforms for updates and information .

PURC WhatsApp Platforms: The PURC has established several WhatsApp platforms nationwide to receive consumer complaints . In the first half of 2026, the Bono East Regional Office recorded 1,275 complaints, of which an impressive 84% came through WhatsApp . This is a fast and effective way to lodge complaints against GWL.

4. Escalate to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC)

If your issue is not satisfactorily resolved by GWL, you have the right to escalate your complaint to the PURC . The PURC is the regulator and oversees the performance of utility companies.

What to do: You can lodge a complaint with the PURC via their WhatsApp platforms or by contacting their regional offices. In the same period, the PURC resolved 96% (1,223 out of 1,275) of complaints received in the Bono East Region, showing that this is a viable escalation path .

Common Causes of Supply Disruptions

Understanding the reason for the shortage can help you know what to expect.

• Technical Faults: Problems at treatment plants, such as the Weija Plant, can disrupt supply to large areas .

• National Power Grid Issues: GWL relies on electricity to pump and treat water. Nationwide power challenges affecting the national grid have forced GWL treatment plants to shut down, causing widespread interruptions .

• Systemic and Infrastructure Problems: In some areas like East Legon Hills, residents have reported prolonged shortages lasting over fifteen months, due to what they describe as supply failures and inequitable distribution .

What to Do If You Are Being Billed for No Supply

Some residents have reported a frustrating situation where they receive bills despite having no water flowing through their taps . In such cases, GWL has stated that “if water hasn’t gone through your meter, it will not read,” implying you should not be billed for a service you did not receive . If this happens to you:

• Document the issue: Note the dates and duration of the outage and keep records of any bills.

• Report it clearly: When you call GWL or the PURC, explicitly state that you have had no supply but are still being billed.

• Ask for a meter reading: Request to be present when a meter reader comes to verify your consumption.

Quick Facts: Contact Numbers

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is there no water in my area?
There are several reasons, including technical problems at treatment plants , power outages affecting pumping stations , or persistent infrastructure issues . Planned maintenance may also cause temporary disruptions .

2. What is the phone number for Ghana Water customer service?
You can call 0302218240 from any network, or 0800 40 000 for free if you are on a Telecel network .

3. Can I report a water problem on social media?
Yes. GWL encourages customers to follow their social media pages for updates . The PURC also accepts complaints via their official WhatsApp platforms .

4. What should I do if GWL does not resolve my complaint?
You can escalate your complaint to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC). The PURC has a strong track record of resolving utility complaints, often via WhatsApp .

5. Why am I receiving a bill if there is no water?
GWL states that they only bill for water that goes through your meter . If you are receiving bills despite a dry tap, you should immediately report the issue to GWL and the PURC to correct the billing.

Source: Accra Street Journal

Last Updated on September 6, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

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