Berbice communities getting potable water

Approximately 45 households from Deutichem to Light Town on the East Bank of Berbice (EBB) in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) gained access to potable water, after the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) commissioned a new water network in the area.
On the occasion of World Water Day, which was celebrated on Thursday, the supply system was commissioned by the utility post at Highbury Indian Immigration Site.
Delivering the keynote address at the commissioning ceremony, Managing Director of GWI, Dr Richard Van West-Charles, stressed that access to potable water is a human right and this project was made a reality through collaborative efforts between the various communities and residents.
He also noted that the project was successfully completed on time.
The Managing Director also stressed on the fact that the water company is working diligently to ensure that clean and safe water is provided to the various communities which could not access such. In this regard, a collective approach has been taken to target the critical communities along the EBB.
While indicating that the gap which exists is understandable, he stated that it is important for customers to pay their water dues.
Emphasis was also made on this year’s theme for World Water Day, “Nature for Water”, which, according to him, allows persons to focus beyond the supply of water, and shift their attention towards its source. It causes persons to be more cognisant of the importance of preserving such natural resources by adjusting their practices and behaviours.
Additionally, Engineer of the Ministry of Communities, Preston Prince, delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, stated that completion of this project is seen as a significant milestone, as it relates to the objectives set out by the current administration.
“Given the importance of water for preserving our health and supporting balanced economic development, this project contributes to our goal of sustainable development and equitable distribution of resources,” he said.
According to him, with access to potable water, residents of the various communities will have improvements in the overall quality of their lives.
Residents were indeed elated to finally have a stable water source.
A resident of Light Town, Carlos Chisholm, explained, “Now we know what pipe water is. All we knew was trench water, we know about pond. That is all we know about.”
During the month of February, GWI installed some 1600 lengths of pipe and new service connections in communities such as Deutichem, Light Town, Highbury and De Kinderen, at a cost of $30 million.
Residents have now been provided with water sourced from the Edinburgh Pump Station on a 24-hour basis.