More than ten communities in the Abrewanko Electoral Area of the Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region are living in fear as they rely on a heavily contaminated stream for drinking and domestic use.

The affected communities — including Labolabo, Namusi, Nyamebekyere and several others along the Nkurakan–Somanya road — depend entirely on the polluted water source for drinking, cooking, farming, and other household activities.

According to the Assemblyman for the area, Mr. Sampson Tettey, over 2,000 residents, including children, have no alternative but to consume the water despite visible contamination with faecal matter.

He revealed that the same stream is also used by the Labolabo Clinic for its healthcare services, heightening public health concerns.

Mr. Tettey attributed the contamination largely to the lack of toilet facilities in the area, which has led to widespread open defecation.

Runoff from rainfall then washes the waste directly into the stream.

He warned that the situation had already triggered several unidentified communicable diseases, particularly among children, and called for urgent intervention to prevent a potential outbreak.

The Assemblyman appealed to the Eastern Regional Minister, the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly, NGOs, and philanthropists to step in with immediate support.

The Dadematse (Sub-Chief) of the area, Nene Kingsley Teye Antwi, also raised alarm over the threat posed to the health and survival of residents, describing the matter as extremely dangerous.

Community members who spoke to the media echoed the concerns, expressing frustration and fear as they struggle with the unsafe water daily.