GWI wells to alleviate water woes of Region One communities

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DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Following the discovery of high levels of mercury in the Kaituma River, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has opted to drill a well and activate two others, to supply previously affected residents in the Region One communities with safe water.

GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Van West-Charles said the new well will be completed before the end of October.

“We are presently drilling another well and in another three weeks that area will have about three wells and we will be pumping into the town so nearly all of the residents will have access to potable water,” Dr. Van West-Charles explained.

The new well will work concurrently with two others which GWI also intends to activate in the community.

Also, in Port Kaituma works are underway for the completion of a new well at Arakaka and installation of a C2 Lifesaver filter tank at the Port Kaituma hospital.

Meanwhile, the plan for Mabaruma is to increase the hours of water supply for the residents, Dr. Van West-Charles said.

“They are moving from pumping from two hours a day to six hours and it should extend, and we are preparing to drill a well in Mabaruma so they should move very quickly to about 24/7.”

The design works are ongoing for the construction of a catchment area and trestle at the Arawak Pond in Mabaruma. This will be equipped with storage tanks and a pump. Works will also include the installation of an electro-mechanical system and distribution network along with the implementation of a chlorination system.

The sum of $3.2B has been allocated to GWI in the 2018 budget, for the provision of safe and potable drinking water to all citizens.

Ranetta La Fleur.

Image: Karime Peters.