Improving Access to Potable Water in Central Rupununi
Providing equal access to potable water continues to be a priority for GWI, in keeping with His Excellency, President David Granger’s call for equity on the coastland and hinterland.
In this vein, GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles and a team of officials conducted a three-day visit to villages located in Central Rupununi, Region 9, from January 21 – 23, 2019, to assess their accessibility to potable water while making necessary interventions. The team plans to visit all 57 communities in Region 9.
During these visits, the GWI team met with Toshaos, Senior Councillors and residents to ascertain their current water situation by listening to their concerns and recommendations.
The GWI officials interacted with the following persons: Mr. Russian Dorrick – Toshao of Yupukari, Fly Hill and Quatata, Mr. Ovid Brown – Senior Councillor of Kicumbay, Mr. Dorrick – Senior Councillor of Marakanata, Mr. Guy Fredericks – Toshao of Parishara, Nappi and Hiowa, Mr. Dennis Benedict – Toshao of St. Ignatius, Mr. Cyril Anthony – Toshao of Parikwarunau, Mr. James George- Toshao of Moco Moco and Ms. Odelia Francis – Senior Councillor of Kumu.
One of the concerns raised was the need for well maintenance, since many were without servicing for long periods. In Fly Hill for instance, a well which was dug in the early 2000s, only functioned for one day. In other cases, additional water sources and storage tanks were needed, solar panels required repairs, leaks to be fixed and trestles to be constructed.
GWI will be revisiting villages such as Moco Moco and St. Ignatius, since the Toshaos are expected to gather and provide additional data on the villages.
The residents who voiced their concerns and recommendations, expressed gratitude to the team for their visit and commitment to enhance their livelihoods, through better access to quality water.
The following is a list of the 13 villages visited and the works to be undertaken by GWI to improve water quality and access:
| Village Name | Actions Agreed to |
| Fly Hill | To inspect and test pump hand-pump wells for productivity |
| Survey community with GPS to provide a map showing where the wells are and provide distribution mains design. | |
| Undertake testing of water provided to the community and deliver 4 Jerry cans to the community. | |
| Install PV system to pump water to community | |
| Discuss with BNTF a proposed project they are undertaking. | |
| Discuss with MOPH access of potable water at health center. | |
| Kaicumbay | To undertake pump testing and inspection of the hand-dug well and water quality analysis from this source |
| To inspect, test pump wells and undertake water quality analysis. | |
| GWI to look at providing access to the other sections after community is logged to determine best solution. Possible solution is another hand dug well with a PV system and new trestles. | |
| Yupukari | GWI to undertake camera inspection and testing of this well to determine its characteristics. Water quality test to be undertaken. |
| GWI to ensure electrical proble is addressed urgently | |
| Village Council to contact Regional Office to address this | |
| GWI to look at providing batteries and inverter to operate this system continuously. | |
| To be installed urgently | |
| Decision to be made after inspection and testing of current well. | |
| GWI to consult the owner and inspect the well to determine its characteristis, and the possibility of supporting the village. | |
| Water quality tests to be conduted on the wells and the river | |
| Quatata | Inspection and water quality tests to be undertaken on wells |
| Leaks to be fixed by serviceman and GWI to provide fittings | |
| Marakanata | GWI will provide a black tank, pipes and fittings and community to provide labour to complete the connections and construction of trestle |
| Parishara | GWI to undertake developmental works on wells, inspection of hand-pump wells. Water quality test to be undertaken. The PV system requires urgent maintenance to restore service. GIS mapping to be undertaken in the community. |
| GWI to supply 3 Jerry cans and fittings to the community | |
| Nappi | GWI to undertake developmental works on wells, inspection and servicing of handpumps. Water quality testing to be undertaken. The PV system requires urgent maintenance to restore service. GIS mapping to be undertaken of the community. |
| GWI to undertake resistivity logging of area to determine the depth drilling can be undertaken to provide potable water to these sections | |
| Water quality tests to be undertaken on the sources and a report prepared for the community. Necessary documentaty to be prepared after to advance the request. | |
| GWI to provide a new PV system and trestle with tanks | |
| Hiowa | GWI to undertake development works on well and inspection and servicing of handpumps. Water quality testing to be undertaken. The PV system is required to be remedied urgently to restore service. GIS mapping to be undertaken of the community. |
| GWI to undertake resistivity logging of area to determine the depth drilling can be undertaken to provide potable water to these sections | |
| GWI to look at drilling of wells after completion of logging; sanitary block will be raised with Regional Adminstration however the serviceman will be provided with fittings to adress this | |
| Moco-Moco | GWI to undertake testing of the well and inspection and servicing of handpumps. Water quality testing to be undertaken. The PV system is required to be remedied urgently to restore service. GIS mapping to be undertaken of the community. |
| St Ignatius | GWI to undertake testing of the wells and install flowmeters to measure the flow from each well. Water quality testing to be undertaken. GIS mapping to be undertaken in the community. |
| This to be raised with the Reigional Administration; GWI to inspect the problem and provide assistance to rectify; a community meeting to be organised shortly | |
| Parikwaru- Nawa | GWI to undertake resistivity logging of area to determine the depth drilling can be undertaken to provide sustainble supply to the community; GIS mapping to be undertaken in the community along with water quality testing; a solution is to be undertaken for drilling of a deeper hand dug well with PV system and a new trestle |
| Quarrie | GWI to undertake resistivity logging of area to determine the depth drilling can be undertaken to provide sustainble supply to the community; GIS mapping to be undertaken in the community along with water quality testing |
| Kumu | GWI to undertake resistivity logging of area to determine the depth drilling can be undertaken to provide sustainble supply to the community; GIS mapping to be undertaken in the community along with water quality testing |