The residents of Ninonteng, a community in the Bankpama Electoral Area of the Wa West District of the Upper West Region are in dire need of a source of potable water as they currently depend on stagnant water in a stream for water for domestic use.
They said both domestic and wild animals also depend on the same water which had posed a serious health threat to them, especially their children.
Madam Ama Fuuli, a resident, told Info Radio in an interview at the community that they were compelled to rely in that water source because there was no other alternative for them.
"We are aware that this water is not good for drinking, see how muddy and brownish it looks. This is where the cattle and other animals also come to drink", she said.
A visit to the community by Info Radio revealed that both the elderly women and children tripped into the stream which was partly dried up to fetch water for domestic purposes such as cooking and drinking.
Madam Akua Vuuyira, another resident, said the health of their children was of utmost concern to them as they were susceptible to water-borne diseases by drinking from the stagnate water in the stream.
She appealed to the government, through the Wa West District Assembly, as well as benevolent individuals and organisations to come to their aid by providing them with an alternative source of potable water to help alleviate their plight.
The water situation was not different at the Fuuryir community within the area as the residents that community also said they depended on a stream and the Black Volta far water for domestic purposes.
"When you see the water it is like porridge, if you don't close your eyes you can't drink it. Even animals in the cities will not like to drink this water, but that is what we are drinking here.
"We have cried for several years but no one seems to have heard our cry. We will continue to cry for help, maybe someone will come to our aid", Mr Nuofur Kumader, a resident of the Fuuryir community, lamented.
He explained that children also went to the stream to fish leaving the water in a very bad state but they were compelled to fetch because they had no other option.
Mr James Awula, the Assembly Member of the area, noted that he had informed the district assembly of the water challenges at those communities but no action had been taken yet.
According to him, he had also written letters to some Non-governmental Organisation appealing for help but they were yet to respond to his appeal.
The Assembly Member said he had met with the communities to plan on how to maintain the boreholes ahead of any intervention they might receive.