PURA holds consultative forum on groundwater protection

The meeting was aimed at strengthening legal framework on groundwater protection to foster better partnerships toward achieving a safe and sustainable drinking water supply to the Gambian populace.

At the synergy, Yusupha M. Jobe, director of PURA attributed that poor land use and management, indiscriminate dumping, uncontrolled drilling and limited capacity of utilities to monitor and rapidly react to water quality incidents, have raised alarms for preventive actions to protect consumers.

He noted that groundwater is the major source for supply of drinking water to the majority of the population.  “However, our endowed potable resources are severely threatened by the high rate of contamination.” he said.

Jobe stated that it is evident that through the water quality monitoring programme in partnership with the Department of Water Resources, there is an increased deterioration of water quality over recent years, especially in the Greater Banjul Area.

“The high concentration of nitrate, salinity, iron and coliform bacteria detected as contaminants in both individually owned and NAWEC boreholes. Moreover, the legal and regulatory frameworks are needed to strengthen to respond to this growing concern.” DG Jobe said.

“We are hopeful that together with all stakeholders, sister agencies, ministries and service providers, this meeting will lay a strong foundation for better partnership towards protecting groundwater resources.” he remarked.

For his part, Buba Manjang, Director of Public Health Service on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, revealed that globally, it has been recognised that access to safe drinking water and sanitation is a basic human right and has been established among the 17 SDGs by UN General Assembly in 2015 as SDG 6 (Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all).

Alieu Ngum, PURA board of director, reminded that climate change coupled with the realities of unplanned urbanisation and poor waste management, the stresses are rapidly deteriorating water resources are likely to increase and persist.

"Since all Gambians depend on groundwater for drinking, it should be of the greatest priority for all of them to work together as partners in the water and sanitation sector to protect those precious resources."

Ngum added that PURA and its partners are inclined to adopt a holistic approach to groundwater protection by building the capacity of key stakeholders, sensitising the public, and strengthening the legal framework.