300 St Cuthbert’s Mission residents receive access to water for 1st time

…as expanded water system commissioned

An expanded water system for the community of St Cuthbert’s Mission, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) will now see 300 residents benefiting from access to potable water for the first time.

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues commissions the water system with other officials

The expansion of the system, a project undertaken by Government and executed by the Guyana Water Inc (GWI), was completed to the tune of $8.1 million and would benefit 700 persons within the village.
Among the works done were setting up new connections, upgrading the distribution system via leaks repair and rehabilitation. At the commissioning ceremony, Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues said these works materialised after it was pointed out by residents that the system was in disrepair.
“I did witness, first hand, the deplorable state that the water system was in and during that visit, I promised the community that I would send in a team that would do an evaluation first of all to figure out what the problem is and then we would know how to proceed,” Rodrigues noted.
A decision was taken to revamp the existing well and supply system, expanding the reach of service. Now, 95 per cent of households are connected to the water network.
“Thirty-five per cent of the community was receiving access to the water system and after the completion of the project, 90 per cent of the community now receives potable water. That is a remarkable achievement for the mission…It is important that when these projects are completed, that the impact and purpose which it was intended for is achieved. I have already engaged the GWI team on some matters that still need resolving,” Minister Rodrigues said.
She added that mechanisms were needed to ensure that the system was maintained to extend its longevity.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Andre Ally explained this year’s work programme would include a sum of $344 million being expended across the hinterland regions to provide potable water.
“It speaks towards Indigenous areas in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine; drilling of new wells, upgrade of water systems, installation of photovoltaic pumps, extension of water distribution networks, etc. I think we are edging to having this goal achieved of everyone having the same level of potable water access. Of course, in the hinterland communities, it’s a lot more difficult, but everyone lives pretty far away and usually, it’s for a very small number of residents.”
St Cuthbert’s Mission Toshao Timothy Andrews added, “St Cuthbert’s will be able to enjoy a better life with water accessible in almost every household possible with the new water system. I commend our community for being generous and patient through this period of time.”