Water from the Tordze River, a tributary of the Volta River that runs through Agotime Ziope, Adaklu, and nearby districts, has been declared safe for use following laboratory tests that ruled out contamination concerns.
The Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) had earlier raised an alarm on February 19, 2025, warning communities along the river of potential contamination after a truck carrying agrochemicals crashed in Tove, Togo, spilling its contents into the water. However, subsequent investigations and laboratory tests have shown no immediate threat to human health or aquatic life.
A statement issued on February 28, 2025, by Augustus Awiti, Chief Director of the VRCC, confirmed that preliminary findings did not indicate water contamination.
Key observations from the site visit revealed that:
- No dead or distressed aquatic species were found in the river.
- No unusual odors or discoloration were detected at affected sites.
- Health facilities in the catchment area did not report any cases of illness linked to water contamination.
- Water samples tested so far showed normal quality attributes.
Despite these findings, the VRCC has advised residents to treat water from the Tordze before consumption as a precautionary measure while awaiting the final results of pesticide residue analysis being conducted by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and the Central Laboratory of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).
The VRCC is also working with Togolese authorities to determine the exact location of the spillage and collect additional samples to identify the chemicals involved.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety of residents and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” Mr. Awiti stated.
With ongoing investigations and regional cooperation, authorities aim to provide full assurance to communities that rely on the Tordze River for drinking, cooking, and other domestic purposes.
