The Environmental Protection Authority cautions that boiling water contaminated by illegal mining does not remove toxic chemicals such as mercury, cyanide and arsenic, urging residents to seek safer sources of drinking water.
The Authority has warned residents of communities affected by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, against drinking or using polluted water from rivers and streams, cautioning that boiling such water does not make it safe for human consumption.
According to the EPA, although boiling water can kill disease-causing bacteria and other microorganisms, it does not remove toxic chemical pollutants that may pose serious health risks to consumers.
“The notion that boiled galamsey-contaminated water is safe for drinking and other domestic activities is false. While boiling kills bacteria, it does not remove harmful chemicals such as mercury and cyanide,” the Authority cautioned.
An official at the EPA’s Twifo Praso office, David Agyekum Baidoo, said residents in several villages and hamlets within illegal mining communities continued to depend on polluted rivers and streams because of limited access to pipe-borne water.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Baidoo expressed concern that the situation was exposing residents to potentially dangerous health conditions, particularly those who drink, bathe in or use contaminated water for agricultural and livestock activities.
He explained that prolonged exposure to chemicals associated with illegal mining could have serious consequences for human health, including kidney damage, neurological disorders and birth defects.
The EPA official therefore urged residents in affected communities to avoid using untreated water from polluted rivers and streams, even after boiling, and instead seek treated water and other verified safe alternative sources for drinking and domestic purposes.
He stressed that communities must understand that boiling is not a solution to chemical contamination and that consuming water from galamsey-polluted sources could expose individuals to toxic substances over time.
Mr Baidoo also called on residents to intensify their support for the fight against illegal mining by reporting individuals and groups engaged in activities that threaten the country’s water bodies to the appropriate security agencies.
He noted that timely information from community members would help authorities identify and deal with illegal mining activities before they cause further environmental damage.
The EPA’s warning comes amid growing concerns about the impact of galamsey on Ghana’s rivers and other critical water resources, with illegal mining activities continuing to threaten sources of drinking water, livelihoods, agriculture and aquatic ecosystems.
The Authority’s caution reinforces the need for stronger community participation in protecting water bodies, improved access to safe drinking water and sustained enforcement of environmental regulations to address the threat posed by illegal mining.
Residents in affected areas are therefore being encouraged to prioritise safe water sources and avoid the misconception that boiling alone can make chemically contaminated water suitable for consumption.
