-$100m well being drilled at shelter belt
Hotels, hospitals, restaurants and other service providers in Georgetown are being urged to store water as the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) further reduces the supply to the city in the face of a deepening crisis caused by the prolonged drought.
On Wednesday, GWI advised that water levels in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) had decreased further, resulting in the utility reducing service provided to Georgetown customers via the Shelter-Belt Water Treatment Facility from 10:00pm.
Yesterday, the utility’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Richard Van West-Charles revealed that water was being pumped from the Maduni River into the EDWC, underscoring the depth of the crisis.
Van West-Charles also met with stakeholders including representatives of hotels in Georgetown, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Balwant Singh Hospital, Davis Memorial Hospital, St Joseph Mercy Hospital, Woodlands Hospital and the Guyana Fire Service regarding the changes at the EDWC and the effect on water service within Georgetown.
In a statement, GWI said that Van West-Charles advised that in light of the reduced service from 10pm, all hotels, hospitals, restaurants and other service oriented entities must commence preparations to store water. He emphasised that residents must be cautious when storing water and said that all water used for food preparation, brushing of teeth, etc. must be stored in a covered container to avoid contamination.
According to GWI, the CEO also provided assurance to all stakeholders that while there has been a further decrease in the level of the conservancy, GWI is working with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to ensure adequate water is available for customers of Georgetown. “Currently, several interventions are being executed. The NDIA is pumping water from the Maduni River into the conservancy which facilitates adequate water supply distribution via the Shelter-Belt Water Treatment Facility at peak periods,” he was quoted as saying.
Van West-Charles also stated that GWI is rehabilitating wells within the Shelter-Belt compound to complement water provided via the Lamaha Canal. “We have also commenced drilling a new well within the Shelter-Belt compound at a cost in excess of $100 Million…this is an additional measure to ensure the security of water supply within Georgetown,” he said.
The statement noted that GWI has formulated a plan with the fire service to ensure adequate water supply is available in the event of a fire within the city.
Van West-Charles urged that all stakeholders advise their employees and customers of the urgent need to conserve on water consumption. He further advised that GWI will provide information packages on water conservation to all stakeholders in order to increase awareness of the urgent appeal for water conservation.
“We wish to assure all customers that every measure is being taken to provide adequate water supply for Georgetown,” he said. “Customers must join the process and immediately reduce their consumption,” he added.
Customers were also urged to be vigilant for leaks and avoid wastage. “Leaks are a significant problem within the distribution network,” Van West-Charles said. “We urge all customers to report leaks immediately to GWI and to ensure that all internal plumbing is functioning properly.”
He also invited customers to contact GWI for advice regarding the operation of their internal plumbing.
The statement said that in addition to meeting with stakeholders, GWI will also broadcast a television production which will highlight the situation at the conservancy as well as conservation methods. The broadcast will commence from Saturday on several television stations.
