Govt intervenes as water supply to Mahdia decreases amid dry season

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal on Thursday reassured residents of Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) that immediate interventions will be made to address their concerns surrounding the current capacity of their water supply and the effects of the dry season.
Croal made this disclosure during a meeting held alongside Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai to inform residents of measures being taken to provide relief.
According to a social media post, the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has already installed a number of tanks at lower elevations to ensure residents have access to some water.
The company is working to further install a booster pump to assist with the supply of water to high areas – a venture to be completed by today.
Additionally, a new well will be drilled at the entrance of Campbelltown on an emergency basis. The contractor is reportedly currently mobilising to the area and the well is expected to be completed within two to three weeks.

As a result of the extended dry season, the region’s water supply is being affected.
While water is being supplied to lower elevations such as the airstrip and the bottom flat of Danjou Hill, most of the areas at high elevation are not receiving supply, which is around 40 per cent of the municipality.
The Mahdia water system typically provides water to the residents via three sources: Salbora Spring, 7-Miles Well and Admin Well, with the Salbora source providing water to two-thirds of the population while 7-Miles Well caters for the other third.
Following Thursday’s engagement, the Ministers along with GWI’s Hinterland Services Director, Ramchand Jailall, and other technical staff, visited the Salbora Spring to conduct an assessment.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, President Dr Irfaan Ali had called on citizens to conserve water in light of El Niño, a climate pattern characterised by warmer temperatures and less rainfall.
Ali recognised the reduced water flow in Region One (Barima-Waini) and the decline of the static levels of wells in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), in addition to a depletion of water sources in areas such as Mahdia.
In this regard, President Ali had noted that emergency responses to address these issues would include drilling new wells and rationing measures in critically affected areas.