Residents of Diamond Housing Scheme on the East Bank Demerara continue to suffer from the limited supply of potable water to the community due to the malfunctioning well and the contractor says by weekend, they will know whether the problem has been fixed.
The well has not been functioning for at least two weeks. Last week, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) said that the well was experiencing a similar problem as it did earlier in February where the walls of the well were failing, resulting in mud being sucked into the pipelines.
As a result, the company began to deliver water via tankers to residents. However, residents have expressed frustration since they are receiving a limited water supply from the trucks.
They are forced to seek potable water elsewhere and also depend heavily on rainfall.
Yesterday, when Stabroek News visited the well site, workers from the NABI construction firm were seen carrying out works. According to the person in charge Philman Noren, they are currently testing the quality of the water before releasing it into the pipelines. “We have been pumping the well and it seems pretty clear but we don’t want to let anything what is not supposed to be in the pipelines be there,” he said.
He added that by this weekend, they should have an answer as to the quality of the water and if the problem has been rectified.
After experiencing the same situation in February, Diamond resident Feroze Khan said it was terrible. He said that he has been setting containers in his yard whenever it rains so that he can get “extra water” to use. The man said they also have to buy water for drinking.
Avinash (only name given), a father of two, said despite having a tank, he has to conserve water. He said that unless persons are outside when the GWI water truck passes, they would not get any water. He suggested that the utility think of having two
wells working on a rotation system to prevent them from breaking down.
“When you see the van pass, we have to come out with our containers because if you don’t see them you don’t get any water,” said Tracy De Freitas who added that she moved her barrels to the front of her yard in order to make it easier to access water from the truck. De Freitas explained that the situation is difficult for her family since she has children who are working while some go to school and they need clean clothing daily.
The woman said she is baffled that the well has broken down a second time in less than six months. “The last time they said they did major repairs. I can’t understand how come it is broken again,” she lamented.
Another resident, Latchmie Singh complained that the persons distributing the water limit the amount to a barrel at most for at least two days. “When you go out and tell them you want water they give you or sometimes they tell you that they are coming back and you don’t even see them until two days later,” she said. The woman said she is grateful for the little water collected but stressed that she would have to buy water for cooking and drinking purposes.
One resident, S. Azab highlighted to Stabroek News that there is no security at the well to prevent any possible sabotage. “Not even lights is there so people can see if anyone goes into the compound at nights,” he observed. Azab added that he is not 100% affected by the water woes since he has tanks in which he stores water which are refilled by the rain. However, he said, he has to monitor water use.
Last week, the Government Information Agency reported that GWI will drill two additional wells at Diamond. The water company is also expected to go to tender for a water treatment plant for the area which would be able take water from both the ground and the surface. Chief Executive Officer of GWI, Dr Richard Van West-Charles had said the treatment plant along with the two additional wells will give a better service.
GINA had reported that GWI is expected to tender for the first well very shortly and that well is expected to be completed within the next three months.
