On July 1st, Gowrie Technical High School in Bolgatanga, Ghana, officially opened a new water treatment facility. The system treats greywater from the school’s washrooms, which previously flowed untreated into the Vea dam - a source of drinking water and irrigation.
This low-cost, sustainable solution was co-designed by students, the Water Resources Commission (WRC), and Blue Deal colleagues. A unique feature is the use of recycled plastic bottles filled with sand as “bottle bricks” to build treatment pits. As water flows through the pits, it undergoes grease separation, sedimentation, and charcoal filtration. The treated water is now used to irrigate the school garden, where fruit trees and other plants have been planted – turning waste into a resource.
Pictured: Students place the sand-filled bottles for the water treatment facility
Ghana Water Company Limited has added the site to its monitoring programme and is collecting biweekly samples. Early results show improvement, with more data expected soon.
Pictured: The treatment facility is officially opened by Paramount Chief Bolgatanga and Erik de Bruijne representing Dutch Water Authorities
The opening ceremony drew over 400 students and local dignitaries, including the paramount chief and Jesse Kazapoe, Principal Basin Officer for the White Volta catchment. Erik de Bruijne, representing Blue Deal, emphasized the importance of youth-led innovation in tackling water challenges.
WRC colleagues Justice Aduko and Judith Amli are actively promoting the project in the media. The opening was featured on national broadcast, and they’ve given interviews on both TV and radio—raising awareness and highlighting the impact of this initiative.
This project showcases how local knowledge, international collaboration, and creative reuse of materials can drive sustainable water solutions. Blue Deal is proud to support efforts like this and looks forward to continued work in Ghana.
Pictured: Erik de Bruijne is interviewed by local television about the new treatment facility