GWI discusses disinfectant methods with Region 2 residents

Reports of typhoid

The Guyana Water Inc (GWI) after visiting the residents of Tapakuma, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to assist with the disinfection of the well, distributed brochures on how to disinfect water by boiling and the recommended dosage of liquid bleach to add to water for household use.

This came in light after reports from the Tapakuma Community Health Centre, which stated that there were a number of persons from the community who have displayed symptoms of typhoid, with the majority testing positive for the disease.
The GWI team interconnected the line from the well to the outlet line from the overhead tanks, which helped with increasing pressure to flush out the lines and ultimately improve the water quality.
“We have found that the distribution network is made up of inappropriately sized pipelines that were run improperly more than four years ago with no flush-out points,” the GWI said in a statement.
Furthermore, there were high levels of iron which compounded the situation, causing encrustation and a reduction in the diameter of the pipes. This also resulted in persons at the end of the network receiving a low level of service.
Connected to the well were eight tanks, four each on two trestles. GWI Region Two workers only managed to clean one set of tanks, owing to their inability to access the other trestle. The photovoltaic system that powers the system was also incorrectly installed, standing in the way of the tanks.
GWI assured residents of Tapakuma that the entity would monitor the water supply system there so that they could continue to enjoy improved water quality and access.
The Toshao was advised to ensure the tanks were cleaned every two to three months to maintain the improved water quality they were now receiving.
The residents usually harvest rain water and dig their own ponds owing to their reluctance to use water supplied by the shallow community well.
The well, which was drilled by the Regional Administration, is supported by aged infrastructure and produces water with high iron content.