Communities in several hinterland regions benefitted from improved water supply – in first half of 2016

Georgetown, GINA, August 13, 2016

Mabaruma in Region One, Monkey Mountain, Princeville and Campbelltown in Region Eight and Rupertee, Wowetta, Marcanata, Kumu and Shulinab in Region Nine are among those areas that benefitted in the first half of 2016, under the administration’s drive to increase access to potable water in the hinterland.

At a recent press briefing at the Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) Shelter Belt, Vlissengen Road, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Richard Van West -Charles explained that during the first half of the year, the water company commenced, in Mabaruma, the drilling of a large reservoir to improve the distribution to the new town.

The project which is expected to be completed during the second half of the year will result in residents benefitting from treated water. It will also result in an increase in the hours of water distribution to the community, the CEO said.

Meanwhile, according to GWI’s Divisional Manager, for Regions One, Eight and Nine, Osei Manifold, during the first half of the year, a water supply improvement project was completed in Section Two of Monkey Mountain. A total of $13.816M was expended on the project that is benefitting approximately 400 residents.

Manifold explained that the project entailed the construction of a catchment, the installation of a photovoltaic system, distribution system, stand pipes and trestle. He said that it resulted in the residents on the outskirts (or Section 2) of the community, receiving water for the first time. Manifold said, in the past, residents walked long distances to access potable water.

GWI had drilled a well at Princeville, installed a photovoltaic system, distribution system, 10 stand pipes and trestle to the cost of $17.198M, and these are benefitting 350 residents.

Manifold explained that the intervention at Campbelltown, for which over $16 M was expended, was as a result of the dry season.

GWI decided to execute the project that entailed the drilling of a well, the installation of photovoltaic system, distribution system, stand pipes and trestle, after the residents complained of not being able to access water from the creeks and springs due to the prolonged dry season, Manifold explained.

The official further explained that the project also catered for the Mahdia Hospital, which was also affected during the dry season.

Manifold stated that the hospital administrators were forced to pay a private contractor to supply water to the hospital to cater for the high water demand of the health facility, during the dry season.

Under the project, an exclusive water line was installed for the Mahdia Hospital. Manifold further explained that the new well drilled connects directly to the Salbora Creek, so that in the event of another dry season the community and the hospital will not be affected as they will be able to source water directly from the creek.

As a result of the dry season, during the first half of the year, the water company was also forced to make interventions in Region Nine, to ensure residents access water. The water company commenced the drilling of eight wells. Manifold reported that five of the wells are completed; Rupertee, Wowetta, Marcanata, Kumu and Shulinab. Manifold said that the three remaining wells at Kwamwatta, Potarinau and Aranaputa would be completed in the second half of the year.

Meanwhile, regarding Region Seven, Divisional Manager, Elson Khirattie reported that in Bartica, GWI continues to have sectionalised delivery of water. Khirattie explained that this is as a result of the growth in the area that was not catered for, with the construction of the water treatment plant.

Khirattie added that GWI has installed a new reservoir and a new eight-inch transmission line from the water treatment plant to Five Miles housing scheme, by way of the Bartica-Potaro road. The water company has also put in place, in Central Bartica, a gravity water feeder.

The water company also took water supply for the first time to Branford Point, and commenced a similar intervention in Karrau. Also benefitting from improved water supply was Byderabo. GWI, at an estimated cost of $100M upgraded the water distribution system, and completed the installation of pipelines in the areas. For the first time, residents were able to receive potable water through their taps, Khirattie said.