With arid weather continuing in Region Nine, a Guyana Water Inc (GWI) team will be addressing defective pumps and providing other help.
A GWI release said that its Hinterland Team is currently conducting remedial works and other interventions in Central Lethem, Aishalton, Achiwib, Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), Kamwatta and Koko, Region 1 (Barima/Waini).
According to Hinterland Manager, GWI, Osei Manifold, because of the prolonged dry season, the static water level of the wells in the communities has decreased. The static water level is the distance from the land surface (or the measuring point) to the water in the well.
The GWI release said that the well station serving the community of Aishalton is experiencing technical difficulties because of a defective control box which has caused the electrical pump, which supplies power to the station, to malfunction. The well station at Achiwib is also experiencing problems due to a damaged electrical pump.
Manifold said in the press release that the replacement parts necessary for these repairs have been delivered to Central Lethem and the GWI Team will be travelling to each community by today to assist the regional authorities with the repairs.
The Hinterland Manager said that all repairs should be completed by Sunday, January 10.
In addition, the release said that GWI has begun a programme to provide the Hinterland communities of Kamwatta and Koko, Region 1 with improved access to potable water through the construction of new well stations and the installation of stand-pipes for both communities at a cost of over $10 Million.
Following a reconnaissance visit to both communities by the Hinterland Manager, the company is prepared to begin the drilling of new well stations at Kamwatta and Koko, Region 1 in the middle of this month. According to Manifold, “both communities have significant water supply challenges. In fact, the residents of Koko depend on rain water harvesting for their water supply. Hence, the construction of these new wells is vital to improving the standard of living in both Hinterland communities”.
In addition to the construction of the well stations, the programme involves erecting overhead storage tanks capable of holding in excess of 1800 gallons of water for more efficient water service.
The programme will also encompass the installation of stand-pipes at key locations within Kamwatta and Koko which are easily accessible and convenient for residents to access the service.
Manifold said that in excess of 400 residents will benefit from improved access to safe water upon completion of both wells. Koko has no water supply system. In the past, residents used ‘hand dug wells’, but because of the prolonged dry season this is no longer an option.
GWI said that the installation of the water supply systems at Kamwatta and Koko forms part of GWI’s overall Hinterland Water Supply Improvement Programme which has received an investment by the government of in excess of $130 Million for 2015.
