The health ministry and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) are collaborating on providing safe water to homes with the introduction of Chloro-Sol.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy yesterday launched the programme at the Leonora Secondary School, West Coast Demerara. Chloro-Sol is a special water treatment formula to make water safer for use. Ramsammy told the gathering that it will boost safety and improve hygienic and sanitation conditions at a minimal cost.
GINA said Chloro-Sol is being manufactured according to the Pan-American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation standards by Globe Manufacturing and Drug Company Limited. It is being supported by the US Center for Disease Control, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Department for International Development. Ramsammy said providing treated water to every citizen is expensive and studies done on chloride concentration in water and its effects after use had determined that most people don’t use chlorine to treat water due to the unpleasant taste. The active ingredient in Chloro-Sol is sodium hydrochloride which is “virtually tasteless and works just as effective as chlorine found in household bleach,” GINA said.
The release said demonstrations were done on how to use the product which will be available in stores, supermarkets and groceries some time this week. The ministry distributed the product to several West Coast villages as this area had been identified as one that needs urgent attention due to the large numbers of homes with small children.
According to GINA one cork full of Chloro-Sol should be added to five gallons of water. The water is safe for use after ½ hour.
Meanwhile, GWI CEO Karan Singh said he supported the ministry’s initiative noting that it is sometimes impossible to deliver water for drinking as it can be contaminated in several ways.
