Empowering sustainable water management in Ghana through close GIS-partnership
Case summary
Avineon Tensing partnered with Ghana Water Ltd. (GWL) to strengthen sustainable water management through practical GIS solutions and knowledge sharing. Working closely with GWL's GIS team, both on-site in Ghana and remotely, Avineon Tensing helped develop GIS-based workflows for managing service connections, monitoring water quality and protecting water resources. Through hands-on training and international knowledge exchange, the collaboration also strengthened GWL's in-house GIS expertise, supporting more informed decisions and long-term improvements in water network management.
Like many rapidly developing nations, Ghana faces significant water management challenges. Population growth and urban expansion are driving up the demand for drinking water, putting serious pressure on existing infrastructure. To meet this growing demand and ensure a reliable service, Ghana Water Ltd. (GWL) is embracing Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.
To help GWL fully leverage GIS, Avineon Tensing worked closely with the utility's GIS team, both on-site in Ghana and remotely. Together, they explored GWL's day-to-day challenges and developed practical GIS solutions using existing technology. By combining technical expertise with hands-on training and knowledge sharing, the partnership focused on solutions that GWL's own specialists could put to work and build on independently.
Did you know?
- Ghana Water Ltd. is the sole government-owned urban water provider in Ghana, supplying around 14 million people across 84 urban systems.
- GWL produces an average of 950,995 m³ of drinking water every day, adding up to more than 347 million m³ each year.
- GWL uses spatial data and drone imagery to map network assets, track water quality samples, and protect water catchment buffer zones.
- Knowledge travelled both ways: Avineon Tensing’s GIS experts visited Ghana, and GWL’s GIS team visited the Netherlands.
The challenge: modernising an aging network for a growing nation
Ghana Water Ltd. has a clear ambition: to become a world-class utility by driving operational efficiency and smarter decision-making through digital technology. Achieving this, however, is a major challenge. GWL manages an extensive network to produce and distribute drinking water across urban Ghana, but much of the infrastructure is aging, with some plants dating back to 1928.
"Our infrastructure is aging - some plants date back to 1928. We need to rehabilitate and expand because demand today is not the same as when these systems were built. We now want to determine where the water goes. That’s why we are reengineering our entire distribution system and using technology to drive this company forward." - Ghana Water Ltd. official
In addition to rehabilitating these legacy systems, continuous network expansion is essential to match rapid urban growth. This requires accurate mapping and robust data management to see where water flows, minimise losses, register new connections, and protect water sources from contamination.
The solution: practical GIS tooling and knowledge exchange
Rather than introducing complex new systems, Avineon Tensing worked closely with GWL's GIS team to identify practical improvements that could make an immediate difference. Together, they developed GIS-based workflows using existing technology, addressing pressing challenges in spatial data management.
Hands-on training and knowledge exchange were central to the approach. By involving GWL's specialists throughout the project, the collaboration ensured that the team could not only use the new tools, but also maintain and further develop them independently.
We provided a solution that Ghana Water Ltd. could immediately deploy in their day-to-day operational work.
Key initiatives developed during the collaboration include:
- Targeted capacity building: through hands-on training sessions and practical exercises, GWL staff learned how to apply GIS in their daily work. This included plotting water quality samples on a GIS platform and bringing spatial data directly into decision-making.
- International knowledge exchange: alongside two visits by Avineon Tensing specialists to Ghana, the GWL GIS team travelled to the Netherlands to share their experience and learn directly from Dutch and Belgian drinking water companies.
- Standardised service connections: Avineon Tensing and GWL designed a GIS-based workflow to record new customer connections accurately. This reduces administrative mistakes and creates reliable data for future network planning.
- Water quality & environmental protection: GIS maps help GWL track water quality sampling and spot pollution quickly so action can be taken. In addition, GIS data and drone imagery are used to monitor buffer zones around reservoirs to identify unauthorised activities, such as illegal mining, before they damage raw water sources.
The result: clear network visibility and a lasting partnership
What started as a project to set up a service connection workflow has evolved into a trusted, long-term partnership. Through close collaboration both organisations built an open exchange of knowledge and expertise.
By mapping the entire distribution network together, GWL created an up-to-date digital overview of pipelines, pumping stations, valves, and service connections. This provides clear insight into how water moves through the system, helping the utility identify inefficiencies, pinpoint where water is lost, and plan expansions effectively. With GIS now firmly embedded in everyday operations and a skilled internal team, GWL has the tools to optimise management, improve service reliability, and safeguard water resources for the future.
Collaborating for a sustainable future
At Avineon Tensing, Corporate Social Responsibility is an active commitment. Part of the company's profit is dedicated to non-profit projects, supporting organisations overseas with GIS expertise and technical solutions.
This collaboration with Ghana Water Ltd. forms part of a wider initiative under the WaterWorX programme run by VEI B.V.. A Dutch water partnership between Vitens, Evides, WML, Waterbedrijf Groningen, Brabant Water, WLN, and PWN.
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