The Guyana Water Inc (GWI) yesterday said that it is activating a well in the water-stressed Rupununi village of Kumu.
In a statement, GWI said that the water shortage is due to the failure of a well drilled by the Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) Council in 2016.
GWI said that inspection of the well has revealed that it is pumping muddy water (red in colour). It added that it is difficult to determine the main cause for the failure of the well at this time but that this had caused a major water strain on Kumu Village.
As such, GWI said it has moved to activate a well which it recently drilled. This new well is equipped with a photovoltaic system and works have begun for the laying of pipelines for the distribution network. The materials for this exercise were delivered to the Kumu Village by GWI yesterday.
The excavation for the distribution lines, which is being undertaken by villagers, is approximately 30% completed. This is expected to be completed by today.
The GWI statement followed a report in yesterday’s Stabroek News that the village had called for urgent relief. In a release sent out on Wednesday by Green Mango Media, Kumu Village Senior Councillor Emeric Francis related that a correspondence was sent to the Regional Chairman last month, reporting the low water supply within the Region Nine village and highlighting the urgent need for pipes to deliver water to one of two wells within the community.
Francis stated that while he was informed that the region was in possession of the pipes, the village was yet to receive them.
“Kumu residents are hoping that the rainy season starts before our emergency tanks run out of water. We badly need those pipes and a solution for the muddy well,” Francis was quoted as saying in the release.
