KWSG Shuts Asa Dam Waterworks for Upgrade, Assures Residents Water Supply Will Resume Soon
In a bid to ensure a steady and uninterrupted supply of potable water to residents of Ilorin Metropolis, the Kwara State Government has temporarily shut down the Asa Dam Waterworks to undertake rehabilitation works on the facility.
The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, disclosed this on Thursday during an inspection visit to Asa Dam Waterworks in Ilorin.
The Commissioner explained that the lamella clarifier units at the Water Treatment Plant have collapsed, adding that the filter beds have become clogged with debris due to the heavy inflow of effluent and waste into the dam from the activities of fish farmers operating upstream.
Hon. Lade said the continuous discharge of wastewater from the fish ponds has adversely affected the performance of the Waterworks, increased the spread of water hyacinth and posed environmental and public health concerns.
He noted that the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved the immediate commencement of rehabilitation works, with the evacuation of damaged lamella components and cleaning of the treatment basins as the first phase.
The Commissioner also directed owners of illegal structures and fish ponds located upstream of the Asa dam to remove them ahead of the state’s enforcement exercise.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Asonibare Christiana, appealed to residents, particularly those in affected areas, to bear with the Ministry during the temporary disruption in water supply, while assuring them that the rehabilitation works would be completed promptly and normal water supply restored as soon as possible.
