Fort Island well to be upgraded with photovoltaic system – Housing Minister

…works to be completed in two weeks

The hand-pump well within the village of Fort Island, on the Essequibo River in Region Three (Essequibo Islands– West Demerara), will be upgraded with a photovoltaic system.

Works which will commence in the coming weeks to upgrade a manually-operated water well would benefit some 120 residents, who are feeling the brunt of the extended dry season. As obtains in some other communities, residents there heavily rely on the river, a hand-pump well, and rainwater harvesting to meet their needs for potable water.
After a thorough assessment of the old system, the engineers attached to the Guyana Water Incorporated suggested that a photovoltaic system be installed, given that this solution proved to be the best alternative for the short-term.
The scope of works for the current shallow well includes the installation of a two- inch submersible pump, complete with well master, control switch, solar panels, lightning arrestor, level float, overhead storage, and a short distribution system.
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal explained that a long-term solution would be implemented, hinting that the Ministry would be exploring the drilling of a new well to better serve the community. This intervention, Minister Croal said, is a testament to the administration’s commitment to ensuring equal access to basic services.
“This year, we are on a massive budgetary programme to ensure that we are able to do exactly that (increase access to potable water). Two ways: one is first-time access; and secondly, those on the coastland, Parika and other (areas), to ensure that they have treated water,” he explained.
“Now more than ever, across our country, all communities are feeling the brunt and all our people are understanding when we go around with GWI’s motto that says ‘Water is Life’, what it really means,” Croal said.
Residents have also been encouraged to assist with the installation of the distribution network, as standpipes would be erected in the community.
“Now that we’re doing that, we are looking for a little community participation, if you have persons who can assist. Because the pipes are not here for the well, the pipes are here for us to put down in this small community a distribution network, and we’ll be putting down a number of standpipes so that you can all have access to potable water,” Minister Croal explained.
Since assuming office in August 2020, according to the administration, more than 35,000 applicants have gained first-time access to potable and treated water services. As a result, nearly 100 percent of coastal residents now have access to clean water.
Further, Government has drilled 75 wells, and has taken potable water supply in the hinterland from 46 percent to 86 percent by the end of 2023. Through the 2024 Budget, another 40 wells will be drilled in Amerindian communities as the PPP/C Government aims to achieve 100 percent access to potable water for the hinterland by 2025.
Communities that are set to benefit from enhanced water supply in Region Two include Friendship, Mashabo, St Denny’s/Tapakuma Village, St Monica, Friendship, Dredge Creek, Baracaro, Bethany and Wakapao. (G1)