Green Lifestyle and Community
– Ministry of Communities demonstrates green community at Green Expo
– Green housing solutions displayed
– GWI highlights efforts at clearer water
– Safe, proper waste water treatment demonstrated
DPI, GUYANA, Saturday, October 20, 2018
The Ministry of Communities demonstrated practical energy efficient and environmentally friendly solutions homeowners can employ as part of its green Guyana drive.
The model green lifestyle and community display was one of the many booths at the Green Guyana Expo being held at the National Stadium tarmac, Providence, East Bank Demerara.
The Central Housing and Planning Authority demonstrated a model low-income home powered by solar energy surrounded by recycled crates used to make a picket fence and a park.
Satrohan Nauth, an Engineer within the Ministry’s Sanitation Management Unit, noted the Ministry is utilising the Green Guyana Expo to promote green communities.
“The low-cost technology we’re promoting that people can get on to. So, it is basically reuse, reduce and recycle that is what we are trying to promote,” Nauth explained.
The Ministry’s Sanitation Management Unit also demonstrated proper on-site wastewater treatment. Nauth explained the demonstration showed the correct construction of a septic tank.
He added the Ministry has observed, through surveys, that homeowners are constructing improper septic tanks which can be harmful to the environment.
“At the Ministry of Communities, we try to promote how to construct it right and also how you can reuse your wastewater to do a kitchen garden. The septic tank is not a holding tank it is a treatment for your sewage,” Nauth said.
The Ministry of Communities has begun providing the information for proper construction of septic tanks and training staff of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to provide the relevant information to homeowners who come to get their building plans sanctioned. “We want to do more one-on-one outreaches with the residents,” Nauth added.
The Ministry’s green community display also demonstrates the importance of having standpipes at raised platforms to avoid water contamination, how to compost as part of recycling waste and promotes handwashing.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), showcased new ways it is using products from the environment to purify water.
Public Relations Officer of GWI, Leanna Bradshaw, explained GWI is currently testing a crushed channa and meringue seed concentrate that clarifies water. “This is an initiative that we can use in small communities. This is something we are trying to explore on a larger scale without just samples,” Bradshaw explained.
GWI is also demonstrating a slow sand filter. Bradshaw said GWI has already employed the use of these in some parts of the hinterland.
“We’re also trying to play our role by encouraging persons to conserve water. We try to push the water conservation message … by encouraging persons to use float valves in their tanks … and basic water conservation methods you can find on the internet,” Bradshaw said.
GWI is also holding live interactive sessions with persons visiting the green community space and fielding their questions and concerns about the company’s operations.
The Ministry of Communities green lifestyle and community display also highlighted its 10,000 plants initiative and included an information booth on the municipalities and local authority areas.
The Green Guyana Expo concludes today , October 20.
Tiffny Rhodius
Images: Jules Gibson