Over 100,000 persons have benefited from infrastructural improvements and improved water service and approximately $3 billion have been spent over the past 18 months, according to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).
Stabroek News asked GWI for information on the projects it said benefited 100,000 persons over the last 18 months.
The utility company said new water treatment systems have been applied to 16 existing pumping stations across the country, which has since resulted in more than 30,000 customers receiving an improved quality of water. Twenty treatment plant filtration systems were also rehabilitated, including the one at the Shelterbelt.
In Region One, a new storage tank was constructed in Mabaruma to provide improved service to the community along with a new transmission main and intake from the Hosororo Falls which directly result in increased service for residents in the area. Additionally, there was also the extension of transmission mains, which is still ongoing, and will result in the activation of a new well in Port Kaituma.
In Region Two, a new well was drilled in Lima Sands along with a new water distribution system, which is slated to provide service to more than 1,000 persons for the first time. New treatment systems were also installed at six pumping stations to improve the quality of water.
As regards Region Three, Stabroek News was made to understand that a new well was drilled in Wakenaam to improve service on the island since there were numerous complaints by residents of not receiving continuous service throughout the day. Another well is being drilled in Ridge, Wakenaam to provide service for more than 300 persons for the first time and new mains were installed in Zeelugt which saw some additional 100 persons receive water for the first time.
On the East Coast Demerara in Region Four, new water supply systems were installed in Doch Cab Housing Scheme, Dazzell Housing Scheme, Le Ressouvenir, Vryheid’s Lust, Golden Grove, Melanie, Victoria, Lusignan, and Ann’s Grove, which have provided new service to more than 6,000 persons for the first time. Additionally, the overhead tank at La Bonne Intention was also refurbished and is now assisting with providing service to the area.
On the East Bank Demerara, new water supply systems are being installed in Barnwell/ Mocha, Yarrowkabra, Hill Foot, Waiakabra, Friend-ship Squatting Area, Little Diamond and Kuru Kururu and are set to provide new service to more than 3,000 persons for the first time. In addition, a new well was drilled in Waiakabra and another was installed in Soesdyke, serving some 60 persons for the first time.
With regard to Georgetown, it was related to Stabroek News that a new transmission main was built in Duncan Street, which will continue to provide a reliable supply of water. A new supply system was also constructed in Meadow Bank to benefit more than 1,000 persons and will reduce the number of waterborne diseases in this area.
New distribution pipes were also installed in North Sophia along with a transmission main in North Ruimveldt, which links to Sophia, and has resulted in more than 3,000 persons accessing water for the first time in D and E fields, Sophia.
Additionally, an extended water distribution system was installed in Lamaha Park which is providing new and improved service for more than 3,000 persons.
Ross Village
Moving east to Region Five, new mains were installed in Ross Village, Number 30, Number 40, Number 41 and Number 42 villages, Lovely Lass, Lichfield, Jacob, Hopetown and Fort Wellington where more than 2,000 residents are benefiting from new service for the first time.
In Region Six, new mains were installed in Tarlogie, Tucber Park, Stanleytown, Nigg, Number 53, Number 66 to Number 77 villages, Budhan Scheme and Angoy’s Avenue which are providing service to more than 6,500 persons for the first time. Mains were also extended from Number 73 to Number 74 villages and Auchlyne to Liverpool which have resulted in an improved level of service for more than 200 residents. Additionally, mains have been extended in Canefield to provide service to more than 200 persons for the first time and in Glasgow Housing Scheme and Sandvoort to provide new service for over 200 persons.
Meanwhile in Region Seven, a new well was drilled in Bartica, which provides an improved service to Four Miles and Five Miles. New water distribution systems were also installed in Byderabo, Bramford Point, Caribe Hill and Four Miles and will see some 200 persons benefit with service for the first time. A new potable water well has been constructed with a water supply system at Karrau and will provide service to more than 500 persons for the first time.
In Region Eight, new water wells were built in Mahdia and Princeville and were slated to provide service for more than 1,500 persons.
A new water supply system was also completed in Monkey Mountain, where more than 700 persons received water for the first time.
In Region Nine, a new water well was commissioned in Culvert City and is providing service to more than 500 residents for the first time. In addition, this well is connected to the water supply network in Lethem to provide reliability and redundancy of supply.
The water company also teamed up with the Regional Democratic Council of the Region and were able to oversee the drilling of eight potable water wells. At present, the wells are completed at Rupertee, Aranaputa, Wowetta, Marcanata and Kwamwatta, which will provide reliable water supply for them especially in dry period.
As regards Region 10, a new water distribution system was installed in Andy Ville, Linden which provides access to potable water for more than 100 persons.
New mains were also installed in Green Valley, Amelia’s Ward and Blueberry Hill with more than 300 persons receiving service for the first time. A new main was also installed in Amelia’s Ward across the Linden Highway which provides improved service to Cinderella City.
At the water company’s 15th anniversary celebrations earlier this month, Executive Director of GWI’s Commercial Services and Customer Relations Marlon Daniels, who spoke of the progress made by the company, stated that GWI also increased the hours of service at 85% of its facilities, and in so doing allowed for several areas to now benefit from 24 hours’ service. He also explained that the new water treatment systems that were rolled out at several pumping stations, resulted in over 30,000 customers receiving improved quality of water.
