Modelling Water Demand and Usage Within a Catchment Area Using WEAP

Water is demanded in varied quantities from streams and rivers to meet daily needs in the home, environment or surroundings. This water is fetched by children, women or individuals for drinking, washing, cooking, bathing, cleaning etc. This same water is used for irrigation, hydropower generation, abstracted for treatment and distribution to citizens. It is also used for fishing, used in the industry for cooling and manufacturing purposes and so on. It therefore becomes appropriate to model water demand and usage within a catchment area for decision making when it comes to real time water demand, usage, sustainability and protection of rivers such as River Birim, Supong, Pra, Ankobra, Densu and river Volta for future generation. Using WEAP software, water is modelled by generating scenarios and results to justify that about 90% water demands activities and usage occur within Supong River and River Birim catchment area. And even though water demand is met, a certain level of contamination is attained hence requiring treatment before usage among water users. The research has established that modelling with WEAP software is an effective tool for future scenarios generation towards preparation, planning, awareness creation and effective management of the economic good for the now and future generations