Safer working environment for GWI workers in the field

─ monitors to detect harmful gases installed in sewers

DPI Guyana, Friday, August 3, 2018

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) sanitation workers can now operate safely in sewers and pump stations, with the acquisition of new monitors to detect harmful gases.

Sanitation Manager at GWI, Rensforde Joseph told media operatives at GWI’s mid-year press conference today that the monitors, introduced three months ago, can recognise the type and concentration of gases that are present before workers are sent into the sewers.

Each monitor cost close to $500k and one bottle of the gas needed to ensure they are always calibrated is $75,000 but Joseph said the exercise is necessary to save the employees lives.

“We want to be able to recognise the presence of the gas before we get inside to know whether it is safe or not to work, rather than going on site to check if it is safe. We’re looking at four main gases- hydrogen sulfide, methane, carbon monoxide and oxygen levels but the instrument has the ability to monitor all gases.”

He added that the department is also working on systems to sustain and preserve lives in the event of emergencies and plans are afoot to complete baths for sewage workers in the next quarter.

Further, the sanitation department has been doing extensive work in the sewers and pump stations to address the challenge of reaching all types of materials.

Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West Charles pointed out that the department, along with the Design of Infrastructure Department is designing a wastewater treatment plant for construction that should begin by the end of 2018.

The department has also worked with restaurant owners to have adequately sized grease traps to avoid fat accumulating in the sewers and will work with manufacturers as well.

“We’ve had the maintenance of the sewage in Kingston where 533 properties and more than 2600 residents benefitted and we’re going house to house looking at the sewage to ensure they are fully functional…in Charlestown-70 properties, benefitting 3,700 residents.  In the Wortmanville and Werk-en-Rust area 7500 residents benefitted,” Dr. Van West-Charles explained.

City manhole covers in several wards were replaced within Kingston, North and South Cummingsburg, Bourda and Lacytown, and Wortmanville to Werk-en-Rust in the south.

The department is currently assisting residents in Kwakwani with cleaning very large septic tanks.

Ranetta La Fleur

Image: Jameel Mohamed