The Guyana Water Inc (GWI) yesterday rejected claims by the opposition in an article appearing in the March 19 edition of Stabroek News titled “Non-functioning wells in Region Nine villages causing hardship.”
The article stated that in light of the extreme dry weather conditions, the water supply in the hinterland regions, is facing challenges due to depletion of surface water sources such as springs, creeks and streams as well as hand-dug wells constructed by villages.
However, GWI responded that its wells are not being depleted since these are deeper and are drilled as part of its climate resilient infrastructure programme.
The utility noted that over the past eight months, it has drilled a total of 25 new wells in Region Nine, including at Aishal-ton, Awarewarnau, Maruranau, Quiko, Parishara, Hiowa, Quatata, Rupertee, Fair View, Toushida, Shiriri, Quarrie, Baitoon, Kwatamang, Rukumuta, Tiperu, Rewa, Semonie, Katoka, Katoonarib, and Patarinau.
GWI added that it is in the process of drilling more wells in Parabara, Yurong Peru, Paipang, and Massara.
“The target of our hinterland water supply programme is to achieve 100% access to water by the end of 2025,” the release read.
According to GWI, the water supply situation in the villages listed by Opposi-tion Member of Parliament Vinceroy Jordon is inaccurate.
Jordan at an APNU+AFC press conference said he is disappointed that villages such as Maruranau, Semonie, Quiko and Rupertee are without functioning water wells despite Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal’s announcement that 96 per cent water coverage was achieved with an investment of $1 billion.
He lamented that during the opposition’s six-day visit to the Rupununi in Region Nine, this month, many residents said that “they have no functioning wells or access to water.” He accused Croal of “misleading the Guyanese people.”
The APNU+AFC Member also inform-ed the press that in Aishalton residents have no access to potable water.
“In Maruranau the well is non-functional. In Karasabai there has been no water supply in some sections. In Tiger Pond, for over one year, the residents did not receive any water since the well is non-functional and the pump has since fallen into the well,” Jordan said.
GWI yesterday reported the following: 1) Maruranau: The existing water supply system is fully operational and provides potable water to the residents including schools and government facilities. Two new wells have been drilled, targeting two unserved sections which will provide water for the entire community. These new wells were recently completed and are expected to be activated within the next month. 2) Semonie: The main water supply system is fully operational. A new well has been completed recently and will provide more supply of water to the village. 3) Quiko: A new drilled well was recently activated in Quiko village which is currently operational and providing potable water for a significant portion of the community. A second well which was drilled lately will be activated in April to serve additional households by a GWI in-house team. 4) Rupertee: The existing water supply system is operational and provides potable water for the residents of Rupertee village. A newly drilled well is under construction and expected to be completed by April. This new well will serve as redundancy and provide potable water for all residents. 5) Karasabai: The village has two drilled well systems which are currently operational and provide potable water for the residents, schools, health centres and other government facilities. GWI is presently preparing for expansion of the network to connect a cluster of homes not currently connected to the system. The GWI team is working aggressively to complete these works within one month. And 6) Tiger Pond: Tiger Pond has two drilled well sources that supply potable water to the residents, Schools, and other government facilities. These systems are presently operational. GWI is in the process of expanding and upgrading the water supply system. These works are expected to be completed within the new month.
GWI said that it is addressing the water supply challenges in these villages through various initiatives, including drilling new wells, expanding distribution networks, and undertaking in-house projects.
