Kwebanna gets 95% potable water access with new $20M well

Clean water is now a reality for residents of Kwebanna, Region One (Barima-Waini), after a $20 million water system was commissioned in the community last weekend.
This investment brings the access to potable water in the community up to 95 per cent.
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, who commissioned the project, revealed that this project signifies a Government that fulfills its commitments and prioritises the welfare of the people.
Before 2023, only 10 per cent of Kwebanna’s population had access to water, from a shallow well and a few standpipes. Following an assessment, the Guyana Water Incorporated collaborated with the Kwebanna District Council and residents to swiftly construct a new well and a distribution network.
GWI’s in-house team drilled a 34-metre-deep well using a recently-acquired Pat Rig costing around $4 million.

Additionally, a $16 million project encompassing the installation of a distribution network, photovoltaic pumping system, storage system, and perimeter fence was executed. These endeavours were overseen by the Kwebanna Village Council under GWI’s guidance.
With 900 residents now benefitting from access to water, GWI’s Hinterland Services Director Ramchand Jailall encouraged the community to safeguard the project for its lasting benefit.
Minister Croal also announced plans to drill a new well in Warapoka, and spoke of work ongoing on wells in Wallaba and Wauna, Region One.
The Government has allotted $1.4 billion this year to drill wells and establish water distribution networks in the hinterland region. The objective is to attain 100 per cent water access for residents in these parts of Guyana by 2025.
To expedite access to potable water for residents, over $15 billion has been expended to make this a reality. The Housing and Water Ministry has achieved a 97 per cent access to safe water on the coastland and a 75 per cent access in the hinterland – up from 45 per cent before Government took office.
Customer service connection stands at 61 per cent as at June 2023. At the ending of 2022, 32 new wells were drilled and 7,684 water leaks were repaired. Deteriorating water treatment plants have also been remedied.
The sector has seen a turnaround since 2020, when it was facing an operating loss of $1.1 billion while the employment costs had hiked by 153 per cent. Some 5000 customers were denied service connections due to depleted inventory, and over 8000 leaks remained unaddressed. These issues have also been fixed under the current administration.a