$130M well station at Providence to become operational by end of May

…To benefit over 7000 households

More than 7000 households in the East Bank Demerara communities of Providence, Farm, Herstelling, Eccles and Bagotstown will soon directly benefit from a newly drilled well in Providence. The well station is being constructed to the tune of $130 million.

This assurance was given by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal following a site visit to the area on Wednesday, where works are currently ongoing. He was accompanied by Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Chief Executive Officer Shaik Baksh and a technical team.
The Minister highlighted that he has taken note of the concerns raised by residents regarding the low level of service in some of the above-mentioned areas recently, and said that, once completed, the new facility would bring great relief to residents.
The well was drilled to a depth of 638 feet by S. Jagmohan Construction Services, and the remaining works include installation of a discharge line and other transmission and distribution lines, and construction of the pump house, fence, and other ancillary works.
Minister Croal has said that, from all indications, works should be completed by the end of this month. He noted that the realisation of new housing schemes and increased occupancy of the existing ones have placed a burden on the current water supply system, resulting in a reduced level of service for some customers along the East Bank corridor.
He explained that his Ministry and the GWI have recognised this, and are finding long-term solutions to increase the capacity to meet the demand and satisfactorily serve residents.
The Housing and Water Minister further posited that, within another year, East Bank Demerara residents could expect an overall improvement in the quality and quantity of water they receive, following the interlinking of the network.
In this regard, Baksh added that upgrades are in the pipeline for the Eccles and Covent Garden Water Treatment Plants, which would see new wells being drilled to supply these plants and increase production. Another well is also on the cards for Diamond.
The GWI CEO said the utility would continue to work in close collaboration with the Ministry in an effort to expand its network, even as the housing drive intensifies.
Baksh said the new Providence well is highly productive, and would supplement the Providence Number 1 well, which is not sufficient on its own for a growing population.