Access to a steady supply of potable water has been a challenge in Itaballi, Cuyuni/Mazaruni, villagers say as they called on the authorities to improve the situation.
Supply to the community via a well provided under the CDB-funded Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) provides households and community facilities with clean water for drinking and cooking. The well was sunk under the Itaballi Water Supply System Upgrade by Alvin Chowramootoo Construction Services to the tune of $20.5M.
However, villagers complained on Friday that on many occasions they are unable to gather enough water for their daily use. In many instances, the villagers say that the water doesn’t get close to their homes and they would have to walk to standpipes close to the well to collect a bucket of water. The limited pressure from the well is also unable to service some standpipes strategically placed in the village.
While some residents harvest rainwater for domestic use, many in the village are unable to do so since they do not have the required infrastructure. In most cases, they have to store small amounts of water in buckets or sometimes collect from their neighbours who are equipped with tanks and other facilities.
For chores, villagers who live close to the Mazaruni River take water from the river and store it in 400- gallon tanks but for others who live away from the river, they are heavily dependent on rain as their source.
Guyana Water Inc (GWI) Public Relations Officer, Leana Bradshaw in a comment to this newspaper said that the situation has not been brought to their attention.
“However, now that we are aware, GWI will be sending a team into the community within the next week to assess the situation, with a view of providing some relief,” she told Stabroek News.
Despite there being shallow wells in the community, one at the primary school and another, which serves as the main well some distance away from the landing, she said GWI would have to conduct a feasibility study to explore the possibility of drilling a deep well to adequately serve the entire population.
“Attempts were made in the past to drill wells in Tasserine and at the Mazaruni Prison but we were unsuccessful due to the rocky geography – similar to that of Itaballi. Once the study is done, we will be able to make a definitive decision on the way forward for a long-term solution,” she said.
The water situation was highlighted during a community meeting on Friday where villagers sought the assistance of ETK, the subsidiary of Gran Colombia Mining, which is operating in the community.
Residents utilizing water from the river and rainfall have been constantly advised to treat it with bleach before consuming.
Miner, Earl Griffith told Stabroek News that it has been frustrating and tiresome for villagers to access water from the well.
“The thing is sometime we don’t know when the water comes on and when you see people running with buckets, you have to find yours and run too because the water will cut off. Sometimes you get a two buckets and when you go back again for another two the water cuts off,” he said.
The situation has persisted for years, he noted.
Susan Douglas, a mother and housewife said the situation has been fatiguing for villagers as one has to always be on the lookout for when the water starts running.
“No matter who is home they know once the water is running they drop what they do and try to full up the buckets,” she said.
She added that in some instances they will be moving from standpipe to standpipe due to low pressure from the well.
“You have to be running between the pipes to see where you can get some water and try to full up quick because the pipe cuts off. If you don’t get any water you have to go to your neighbour and ask for some,” Douglas related.
Those who can afford it purchase five gallons of water from Bartica to meet their domestic needs.
“Sometimes we have to buy water from Bartica because we don’t have a choice. But those who don’t afford it have to depend on the rain to get the water they need to drink and cook with. It is not easy because sometimes at the pipes you have fights all because everyone wants water,” said Gary, a villager who normally buys water.
Dirk Denhearte told this newspaper that he and his son-in-law laboured and dug their own well just to secure water for their use. He explained that they made the decision to invest in such a system after they had to go before the courts for an issue encountered while they were attempting to get water.
“I had ask the school to get water from there when school is not in session and the Head Teacher give permission but now when the children go to collect the water they were chased away and the person break off the pipe and put a stop on it so nobody can get water,” he lamented.
Since then he said they have been getting water from their own well and in some cases assisting villagers.
“I wish though if everybody can be able to get water to their homes. That is something we need. It will help everybody because we won’t have to hurry and fetch water you know,” he said.
A resident indicated her willingness to provide a portion of her land for a well to be dug.
