Press Release – Five Miles to be Gifted Water for the Holidays

The gift of water will be given to the community of Five Miles in time for the Christmas holidays. Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Colin Croal gave this assurance to residents on Saturday during a Community meeting.

He was at the time visiting a number of villages in Bartica, Region 7 to assess the current water situation, with the aim of addressing any concerns.

Minister Croal highlighted that a sum of $50 million was allocated to GWI for the expansion of the Bartica Water Supply System. 

To supply the community of Five Miles, GWI will undertake in the installation of a 12-inch transmission main to increase the water intake from the river, which will then be filtered through the existing water treatment plant and distributed to the community.

Distribution pipelines have already been laid in the community and upon completion of the expansion works, persons would be required to apply for individual service connections.

Currently, residents depend on the rain, a nearby creek or purchase water.

Meanwhile, over in Four Miles Minister Croal explained that once the area is regularised, provisions will be made for water to be supplied there.

A visit was also made to the Batica Water Treatment plant, where GWI’s Director of Operations explained the treatment process and to Dagg Point. In Dagg Point, the Minister said an assessment will be made to identify the best method that may be utilised to supply water to that village. This will be catered for under the 2021 programme budget.

Additionally, the Minister spoke about the removal of VAT on water and the subsidy for pensioners, both of which took effect this month.