$5.1 million El Paso well to be completed in August -GWI

Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI), Executive Director of Hinterland Services, Mr. Ramchand Jailal has said residents of El Paso, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight) would have access to potable water before August month end.

The GWI has contracted Fox Services to drill the $5.1 million well for the community, after obtaining $4.5 million from the Mahdia Town Council for the project. In a letter dispatched to the media earlier this week, Mr. Jailal said the GWI would be providing the remaining sums for the project.

“Currently, the contractor is drilling a second well for GWI in Port Kaituma, which is intended to assist in the transition from the use of water from the Port Kaituma River. This will provide relief to the residents from the use of water of poor quality from the Port Kaituma River to groundwater, which is of safe quality,” he said.

The contractor was required to drill a well in Two mile, Port Kaituma to allow residents to access potable water for the first time.  This well was successfully completed and works are ongoing to interconnect it to the new water system before the end of April.

Mr. Jailal said an assessment was later done to determine whether potable groundwater could be provided to other residents in Port Kaituma. Based on those results, a decision was taken to drill a second well there since the rig had already been mobilised in the community.

“It is expected that this new well will be completed by the end of May 2021 and the equipment will be mobilised to El Paso within June 2021.  It is expected that this new well will be completed for two to three months thereafter,” he said.

Mr. Jailal said GWI would continue working to improve its services in the hinterland regions to ensure all residents can access safe water.

Last year, residents raised similar concerns about the project with Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal. The Minister had said steps would be taken to resolve challenges to ensure that the community is served.

Some $4 billion has been allocated in Budget 2021 to improve and expand the water supply networks countrywide.  The Ministry also intends to increase treated water coverage, reduce non-revenue water and modernise sanitation facilities.