The Ministry of Local Government last night said that the regional administration of Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) yesterday met with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Director General of the Civil Defence Commis-sion (CDC) on an emergency water supply for Mahdia and its environs.
A release from the ministry said that Mahdia is usually supplied by the Salbora gravity water system, however in recent weeks because of the dry season, and seepages, the reservoir is only at about 35% of its storage capacity. Currently the pressure only allows the water to reach a section of the community called “Water Dog” which is situated approximately 2 miles away from central Mahdia.
The release said that during the past couple of days, the Public Works Department of the Region along with volunteers from Mahdia and Campbell town embarked on a desilting and cleaning exercise at the reservoir. As a result, the volume of the reservoir gradually increased.
However the situation has worsened and residents and government buildings are affected.
During the meeting yesterday several options were discussed, one of which included the establishment of a water station or two at an existing well site. The agencies agreed that this measure may bring some amount of relief in the shortest possible time.
According to the release, the intervention will comprise the removal of a hand pump, installation of two hundred feet of galvanized pipes to the depth of two hundred feet, the installation of a submersible pump, electrical installation and requisite plumbing connections.
While this measure will not be able to service the distribution network, it will make available water at a more central location within the community, the release contended.
The release said that an elevated stage will be constructed for storage, where it is anticipated that 4500 gallons of water will be stored. The administration said it is expected that the pump will be in operation for extended hours during the day.
Medium and long term plans are still being explored, the release added.
For the past eighteen months in Region 8, the Government has expended through the Guyana Water Incorporated sums in excess of Seventy Million Dollars, the release stated.
Projects completed and ongoing include:
* Installation of Photovoltaic System, Construction of bore hole and trestle at Tuseneng $ 7,807,350.00
* Rehabilitation of distribution network Monkey Mountain $ 6,600,000.00
* Installation of Photovoltaic System Construction of bore hole and trestle at Chuing Mouth and Itabac $16,600,700.00
* Drilling of Bore Hole and installation of water distribution system Paramakatoi $15,000,000.00
* Drilling of Bore Hole and installation of water distribution system Kurukubaru $15,000,000.00
* Installation of Water Distribution System Mountain Foot $8,927,450.00
