The Guyana Water Inc (GWI) on Saturday commissioned a $15M water supply system in St. Ignatius, Central Rupununi, Region 9.
According to a release from GWI, some 175 residents in that community, located approximately 10 minutes from Lethem, gained first time access to potable water while some 1500 residents gained expanded hours and level of service.
Previously, residents extracted water from hand dug wells or the Moco Moco creek, but with this project funded by GWI and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), they now have access to water on their premises
The release said that the new water supply system comprises a well drilled to a depth of approximately 321 feet, installation of transmission and distribution mains and in excess of 35 service connections, including to the schools and dormitories. The project was done by GWI in collaboration with community and is powered by the Lethem Power Company.
The system is the fifth to be commissioned in Region 9 within the last 3 weeks. During the weekend of November 23 and 24, the release noted that GWI commissioned the Yupukari, Kaicumbay and Moco Moco Water Supply Systems and on Saturday, 30th November, 2019, the Sand Creek Water Supply System.
According to Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van West- Charles, in 2019, GWI was able to complete the drilling of 22 wells in various regions. This includes wells at Shulinab and Meriwau in Region 9, in Region 7 and Amelia’s Ward in Region 10.
Regional Executive Officer of Region 9, Carl Parker said that the RDC is aware of the challenges that the residents face during the dry season. He stated that the residents previously had to go water hunting at Moco Moco to carry out daily chores but thanks to GWI, that is now a thing of the past. He added that the RDC will now be able to reduce the pollutants in the creek and preserve it for other purposes, such as recreational.
Parker stated that the RDC would have drilled wells which failed within a very short time because they were not drilled to the required depth.
