Power supply issues affecting Region Three’s water delivery

GINA, GUYANA, Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Poor power supply is among major challenges for the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) in the delivery of water supply in the Essequibo islands-West Demerara region (Region Three).

Regional Divisional Manager, Martin Garrick said poor power supply is affecting eight of the company’s wells in West Bank Demerara between Parfaite Harmonie to Vriesland, and Wales and Canal Number Two Polder.

Electricity is necessary to pump water from the wells to the taps. Garrick explained that “whilst the residents may see power at their homes, the quality of supply at the well stations cannot suffice the operations of those wells, so sometimes we would have no water supply.”

The Regional Divisional Manager said that the water company is working with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to address the issue, including reducing the downtime.

Recently GWI managed to improve the level of service in Hubu, East Bank Essequibo by re-activating the area’s well. Garrick explained that this intervention resulted in the level of service, moving from ground level in most areas, to second floor level.

GWI also restored services to the Parika Façade area, after one year, Garrick said.

In the meantime, the water company is looking to drill several other wells, to increase the level of services throughout the region. Garrick said, “2017 promises to be better,” explaining that the plans are in place to drill wells in the new housing schemes of Parfaite Harmonie, West Minster, Schnoord and Lust-en-Rust.

The Region Three, Divisional Manager further explained that by the end of the year, GWI would complete the installation of distribution mains in the un-served areas of Zeelugt, and some parts of Parika.  “So whilst we have some challenges some amount of work is being done,” Garrick noted.

Other areas that are set to benefit from intervention include the Parika Zone and Tuschen. The Tuschen system is set to be re-sleeved.