By Emma Black
Guma Dam at Mile 13, strengthen water security in the Western Area.
The Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC) completed a thorough virtual inspection of the Guma Dam at Mile 13, Sussex, to strengthen water security in the Western Area. Partnering with the World Bank, GVWC used advanced remote sensing and satellite imagery to assess the dam’s structure, water flow, and surrounding environment, ensuring sustainable water delivery for Freetown.
On Friday, May 2, 2025, the virtual approach allowed GVWC to collect vital data without the challenges of a full physical inspection. This exercise shows our commitment to using technology for better water management and stronger infrastructure, said Ing. Maada S. Kpenge, GVWC’s Managing Director.
The inspection confirmed the dam’s structural stability but raised alarms about increasing encroachment and environmental damage in the catchment area. These threats, including deforestation and illegal settlements, could harm water quality and supply if not addressed.
GVWC urged stronger action to protect the Guma Valley catchment, a critical forest zone feeding the dam. Safeguarding our water sources needs everyone government, communities, and partners, Kpenge said, without action, our investments in the dam could be at risk.
The company plans to use the inspection data to improve asset management and adapt to climate change, especially as Freetown faces rapid growth and unpredictable rainfall. Built in the 1960s, the Guma Dam is central to the city’s water supply, and GVWC is focused on digital innovation and partnerships to protect it.
A 2020 study by the Millennium Challenge Coordinating Unit (MCCU) and COBA/CONCEPT also found the dam structurally sound but stressed ongoing maintenance needs, which GVWC continues to prioritize. The company calls for stricter environmental laws, community involvement, and cooperation with local authorities to secure this vital resource for future generations.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 7th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
