Utility service providers have expressed concerns about the adverse effects of illegal mining activities on their operations, which hinder their ability to deliver better services to consumers, urging immediate action to address this pressing issue. During a public hearing on the proposed utilities tariff adjustment held by the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) in Kumasi, the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWC), the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) highlighted their challenges. According to GWC, their treatment plants are currently facing crisis due to alarmingly high levels of turbidity in raw water sources, primarily caused by the destructive activities of illegal miners. Seth Eric Atiapah, GWC's Chief Manager for Special Duties, stated that the company is struggling to manage excessive pollution, which negatively impacts water quality nationwide, calling for urgent intervention. He said the Odaso Water Treatment Plant, which serves the Obuasi Municipality, is experiencing turbidity levels of 15,000 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU), significantly exceeding its designed limit of 100 NTU. Similarly, the Konongo treatment plant, also designed for a maximum of 100 NTU, has recorded turbidity levels of 12,000 NTU and has even run dry, prompting plans to dredge the area in hopes of retrieving water. Atiapah noted that the Sekyere Hemang plant has reached an alarming turbidity level of 18,000 NTU, necessitating temporary shutdowns. The pollution issue is widespread; other treatment plants, including Winneba, Daboase, Kwanyako, and Kibi, are also affected, with Kwanyako and Kibi being forced to shut down due to severe pollution. To ensure consumer safety and address the situation, Atiapah announced plans to establish 24 laboratories to test water quality before distribution, with three of these laboratories expected to be located in the Ashanti region. The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) also reported that illegal mining activities are adversely impacting operations in areas such as Manso Nkwanta, New Edubiase, Dunkwa, and Obuasi. Moses Okley, the General Manager for Financial Planning at ECG, stated that illegal miners affect electricity poles, resulting in increased outages, and the company faces challenges in maintaining them to ensure a constant power supply. The worsening situation has forced them to relocate some poles due to the nature of galamsey activities. Additionally, the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) reported that these illegal activities are impacting their transmission towers, necessitating the construction of retaining walls to prevent the lines from collapsing. Samuel Kuo Aquah, the Director of Corporate Strategy at GRIDCo, emphasised the need for immediate action against illegal mining activities. For his part, Dr Shafic Suleman, Executive Secretary of the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC), referred to the galamsey issue as a "very critical problem" and urged the relevant institutions responsible for combating it to consider its effects on utility tariffs and take action to address it.