About this module
Takoradi needs water stored, pumped and piped in every new house, and fixed in every old one. A plumber who leaves no leaks is never short of work.
Who it is for. People with no formal certificate. National Proficiency I is a bridging level for people with minimal education.
Why plumbing
- Sekondi-Takoradi's water plants could produce only about 7 million gallons a day against demand of about 15 million in 2023, leading to rationing. Homes rely on storage tanks and pumps, which plumbers install and maintain.
- New estates are growing in Anaji, along the Nkroful Road corridor and in New Takoradi, and many homes are built in stages.
- Only about 41% of households in the metropolis had improved sanitation, and the Assembly planned to train young people to build bio-digester toilets.
- The Ghana Plumbers Association says quality work brings referrals.
CTVET status. Plumbing is a competency-based trade in Ghana, and harmonised West African plumbing standards were developed with the ILO. The CTVET unit list was not found online, so this module is not that curriculum. No individual state plumber licence was found; ask the Ghana Plumbers Association about membership and certificates.
What this module does not let you do
- Gas (LPG) fitting: not covered. Leave it to certified gas technicians.
- Borehole drilling: only licensed drillers may drill. The Water Resources Commission has warned the public not to hire masons and plumbers to drill.
- Mains connections: these are done by Ghana Water.
How the module works
Each unit has learning outcomes, performance criteria, the range and the evidence your assessor needs. You are judged Competent or Not Yet Competent from what your assessor sees, asks and reads in your logbook. About 70% of the time is practical, following CTVET's Oil Palm programme, which uses about 30% in school and 70% at the workplace.
Unit 1 · Work safely
Trench walls collapse, solvent cement catches fire, and sewage carries disease. Plumbers who know the dangers stay healthy.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 1.1 Use solvent cement safely | ventilates; no flames; lids closed; gloves on |
| 1.2 Stay safe near sewage | wears gloves and boots; washes hands; covers cuts |
| 1.3 Respect trenches and ladders | never enters an unsupported deep trench; uses ladders safely |
| 1.4 Avoid shocks and scalds | isolates power; checks hot water |
Range. All plumbing work. Evidence. Observation every session; oral questions.
Solvent cement
PVC solvent cement is extremely flammable; its vapour is heavier than air and can travel to a flame and burn back. Use it with good air flow, away from sparks and flames, with gloves and glasses, and keep lids closed.
Sewage
Sewage can carry typhoid, hepatitis A and B, polio and tetanus. Wear goggles or a face shield, waterproof gloves and rubber boots; wash hands with soap straight after work; cover cuts; do not smoke or eat while working; and keep tetanus vaccination up to date. Leptospirosis spreads from water or soil contaminated with rat urine through cuts and the eyes, nose or mouth.
Trenches and ladders
Any trench 1.5 m deep or more needs sloped sides or support, and spoil must be kept at least 0.6 m from the edge. Ladders: one out for every four up, and three points of contact.
Electricity and hot water
Cutting a metal pipe or removing a water meter can give a shock if there is an electrical fault: switch off the power first and use a bridging cable. Water at 60 °C can scald an adult in about 5 seconds and a child in about 1 second. Never mix drain cleaners or mix them with bleach: toxic gas can form.
Safe or unsafe?
- Kofi uses solvent cement in a closed bathroom next to a candle.
- Ama unblocks a drain with waterproof gloves and boots.
- Kwame climbs into a 2 m deep trench with no support.
- Esi covers a cut before working on a soakaway.
- Yaw mixes two drain cleaners "to make it stronger".
Safety set-up
- Dress in work gloves, glasses and boots; your partner checks.
- Set up a ventilated area for solvent work.
- Practise safe ladder set-up.
- Practise the handwashing routine after "sewage" work.
Tetanus check
Ask a clinic whether your tetanus vaccination is up to date.
Unit 2 · Pipes, fittings and tools
Know your pipes and fittings by name and by sight before you buy or fit anything.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 2.1 Name pipes | tells PVC, PPR and galvanised pipe apart and their uses |
| 2.2 Name fittings | names elbows, tees, sockets, unions, reducers and valves |
| 2.3 Use tools | measures, cuts and deburrs pipe accurately |
Range. Common household pipes and fittings. Evidence. Identification test; cut pieces.
Tool prices (online listings)
| Tool | GH¢ |
|---|---|
| PPR welding machine | 450–1,100 |
| Pipe wrench, 14 inch | about 120 |
| Hacksaw frame | about 65 |
Know and cut
- Sort a box of fittings and name each one.
- Measure and cut ten lengths of PVC and PPR pipe square.
- Deburr and chamfer each cut.
Hardware shop visit
Visit a plumbing shop. Write the prices of a length of PVC pipe, PPR pipe, a tap and a float valve.
Unit 3 · Join PVC and PPR pipe
A joint done right lasts for years. A joint done fast leaks in a week.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 3.1 Solvent-weld PVC | makes leak-free solvent joints |
| 3.2 Heat-fuse PPR | makes leak-free PPR joints at the right times |
| 3.3 Seal threads | wraps PTFE tape the right way |
Range. 20–32 mm pipe. Evidence. Joints pressure-tested.
PVC solvent welding
- Cut the pipe square; chamfer and deburr.
- Dry-fit the joint.
- Clean both surfaces.
- Prime the fitting, then the pipe.
- While the primer is wet, apply cement to pipe and fitting.
- Push in with a quarter turn; hold for at least 30 seconds.
- Wipe off extra cement.
Let it cure for the time on the tin before testing.
PPR heat fusion
The welding iron runs at about 260 °C. Clean the pipe, mark the insertion depth, heat pipe and fitting together, push straight together without twisting, hold still, and let it cool before using.
| Pipe size | Heat | Join | Hold still | Cool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mm (½") | 5 s | 4 s | 30 s | 1.5–2 min |
| 25 mm (¾") | 7 s | 4 s | 30 s | 1.5–2 min |
| 32 mm (1") | 8 s | 6 s | 60 s | 3–4 min |
PTFE tape
Wrap clockwise when looking at the end of the thread, so tightening does not unwind it, and pull it tight as you wrap.
Joint practice
- Make ten PVC solvent joints.
- Make ten PPR fusion joints of each size; time each step.
- Seal five threaded joints with PTFE tape.
- Pressure-test the joints (Unit 5); record any leaks and redo them.
Draw a joint
Draw and label the steps of a PPR fusion joint from memory.
Unit 4 · Taps, cisterns, leaks and drains
Most calls are small: a dripping tap, a running toilet, a blocked sink. Fix them well and customers call you back.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 4.1 Fix taps | replaces a washer or a whole tap |
| 4.2 Fix cisterns | adjusts or replaces a float valve |
| 4.3 Find and fix leaks | traces and repairs a leak |
| 4.4 Clear drains | clears a blockage with plunger and auger |
Range. Practice rig; real homes under supervision. Evidence. Repairs tested; job tickets.
Cisterns
Turn off the water first. Turn the float valve's adjusting screw clockwise to raise the water level and anticlockwise to lower it; set the water about 2.5 cm below the overflow; replace a float that has filled with water.
Drains
Use a plunger first, then an auger. Avoid chemical drain cleaners: they can cause burns and blindness.
Repair rounds
- Replace a tap washer and a complete tap.
- Adjust and replace a float valve; check the water level.
- Find a planted leak on the rig and repair it.
- Clear a blocked trap with a plunger and an auger.
- Fill a job ticket for each repair.
Leak hunt
Check every tap, cistern and pipe at home. Record any leaks and how you would fix them.
Unit 5 · Tanks, testing and the water laws
Tanks keep homes going during rationing. Install them strong, test everything, and never connect illegally.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 5.1 Install a tank | connects inlet, outlet, overflow and valves |
| 5.2 Pressure-test | tests a system for leaks |
| 5.3 Know the law | refuses illegal connections and drilling |
Range. Storage tanks and household pipework. Evidence. Tested installation; oral questions.
Tanks
Tanks are widely sold: for example a 1,000-litre tank was listed at about GH¢1,815 and a 3,000-litre tank at about GH¢5,250. Stands must be strong and level: a full 1,000-litre tank weighs about a tonne.
Pressure testing
UK water rules test new pipework at 1.5 times the working pressure with no visible leaks for about an hour; fill with water and remove the air first. Ghana's rule was not found; this is good practice.
The law
- Illegal connections are a crime. Ghana Water lists bypassing meters, tapping into pipelines, inline pumps on the mains, meter theft and unauthorised extensions; a Tamale businessman was fined for installing inline pumps.
- Nearly half of all water Ghana Water produces is lost as "non-revenue water", through leaks, illegal connections and faulty meters.
- Boreholes need a Water Resources Commission permit; drilling without one can bring a fine or prison.
- New mains connections are applied for at Ghana Water, which inspects, estimates, and fits the meter.
Tank installation
- Install a tank on the rig with inlet, outlet, overflow and isolating valves.
- Fill and pressure-test; record the result after one hour.
- Role play: a customer asks you to bypass the meter. Refuse and explain why.
Rationing survey
Ask three households how they manage water rationing. What do they need from a plumber?
Unit 6 · Your location and business ideas
Plumbers go to the work. Know where houses are being built and who sends plumbers jobs.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 6.1 Choose where to work | maps building areas and referral partners |
| 6.2 Know the fees | lists Assembly fees for artisans |
| 6.3 Add income ideas | plans at least three extra income lines |
Range. Sekondi-Takoradi and surroundings. Evidence. Area map; business plan.
Where the work is
Building is active in Anaji, the Nkroful Road corridor and New Takoradi, with mid-market housing in Apremdo, Effia, Kokompe and Essipon, and self-build in Fijai, Diabene and Ntankoful.
- Building areas. Where houses are going up or being finished.
- Referral partners. Plumbing shops, hardware shops, masons, tilers, contractors, landlords.
- Transport. For you, tools and pipes.
- Phone. Customers must reach you quickly.
Assembly fees (STMA 2025)
Plumbers are in the artisans category (masons, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and others) at GH¢100 a year; plumbing shops pay GH¢350 (retail).
Ideas to earn more
- Maintenance contracts with landlords, schools and hotels.
- Tank installation and cleaning, pump servicing.
- Rainwater harvesting: roof, gutters with a first-flush diverter, and a tank.
- Bio-digester toilets: the Assembly has trained young people to build them.
- Team up with a tiler and a mason for complete bathrooms.
- Emergency call-outs at a higher price.
Meet three partners
Visit a plumbing shop, a mason and a landlord. Ask how they find plumbers.
Unit 7 · Market yourself and manage the money
No leaks, no call-backs, clean finish. That is your best advertisement.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 7.1 Market yourself | sets up a business profile and photo portfolio |
| 7.2 Quote a job | writes a quote with materials, labour and dates |
| 7.3 Keep records | records jobs, costs and payments |
Range. The trainee's planned business. Evidence. Profile; quotes; record book.
Get found
- Google Business Profile (free) can list you as a service-area business, showing the areas you cover instead of your home address.
- WhatsApp Business (free): catalogue, quick replies, away messages.
- Photos of neat finished work, written warranties on your labour, and references from contractors.
Quote a tank installation
Materials: PPR pipe and fittings GH¢350, valves GH¢180, float valve GH¢60. Labour: one day at GH¢250. Transport GH¢50. (1) Total? (2) Deposit for materials (40%)? (3) What should the quote also say?
Launch kit
- Photograph your rig work for a portfolio.
- Draft a Google Business Profile and WhatsApp catalogue.
- Write a quote form, a job ticket and a record book.
- Present your business plan.
First reference
Do a small supervised repair for a neighbour. Ask for a written reference.
Working with deaf plumbers
Ghana has about 470,000 people with some hearing loss, and deaf people often face the belief that they are a safety risk. Use flashing alarms and agreed hand signals, and give written or video instructions.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Competent / Not Yet Competent | The two possible results of a CBT assessment |
| Float valve | The valve that shuts off water when a tank or cistern is full |
| Non-revenue water | Water lost before it is paid for |
| PPR | Plastic pipe joined by heat fusion |
| PTFE tape | White tape that seals threads |
| PVC | Plastic pipe joined with solvent cement |
| Solvent cement | Glue that melts PVC surfaces together |
| Trap | The bend under a sink that holds water to block smells |
Logbook
Copy these pages into an exercise book. Your logbook is part of your assessment evidence.
- Unit 1: safety checks
- Unit 2: fittings test; cut pieces; price list
- Unit 3: joint records and test results
- Unit 4: job tickets for repairs
- Unit 5: tank installation; pressure test record
- Unit 6: area map; partners met
- Unit 7: profile; quotes; record book
- Every homework, dated
Self-check quiz
- Why must solvent cement be used away from flames?
- Name three diseases sewage can carry.
- How deep can a trench be before it needs support?
- What are the PVC solvent welding steps?
- At what temperature does a PPR iron work?
- Which way do you wrap PTFE tape?
- How do you raise the water level in a cistern?
- What should you use before chemical drain cleaners?
- Name two illegal water connections.
- Who may drill boreholes?
Further reading and sources
Best next reads: your PPR machine's manual; the solvent cement instructions; the Ghana Plumbers Association.
What this module does not cover: gas fitting, borehole drilling, pump electrics, septic tank and bio-digester construction, and Takoradi plumbing prices (not found; check locally).
Every source used in this manual is listed, with links, in the Teacher Copy.