Galamsey: Stop boiling polluted water for drinking – EPA warns communities

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a warning to residents in communities impacted by illegal mining to refrain from drinking or utilizing water sourced from polluted rivers and streams. Despite the common belief that boiling such water renders it safe for consumption, the EPA insists that boiling does not eliminate hazardous substances present in the water. These include toxic elements like mercury, cyanide, and arsenic, which cannot be neutralized via boiling.

David Agyekum Baidoo, an EPA official, revealed that several villages and hamlets in illegal mining areas continue to rely on polluted water sources due to the absence of access to piped water. The EPA official cautioned that this reliance exposes residents to significant health risks, especially those engaging in activities such as drinking, bathing, or using the contaminated water for agricultural purposes and livestock feeding.

Prolonged exposure to the chemicals linked to illegal mining can lead to severe health issues like kidney damage, neurological disorders, and birth defects.

Baidoo emphasized the necessity for residents to utilize treated water and alternative safe water sources instead of relying on the misconception that boiling polluted river water will make it suitable for domestic use. He also encouraged community members to contribute to the fight against illegal mining by reporting offenders to the relevant law enforcement agencies. Timely reports, he stressed, can prevent further pollution and safeguard water bodies used for drinking, farming, and fishing.