New $60.6M well to benefit over 900 Waramadong residents

Some 960 Waramadong residents will now receive adequate access to potable water as Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal on Friday commissioned a new $60.6 million water distribution system in the Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) village.
The scope of this project included drilling a new potable water well to a depth of 120 metres, and installing 3000 metres of 50mm Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes and 1000 metres of 19mm pipes, with 80 service connections.
It further called for the construction of a 20-foot-high metal trestle with storage tanks, installation of photovoltaic pumping system, and galvanised chain link fence.
Over the past three years, Croal noted that some $700 million has been invested into enhancing the water sector across Region Seven to provide first-time access to clean water to thousands of residents.
“We want everybody to live a better quality of life… regardless of where you are located, all must benefit from the resources of the state and that is no different for those in Region Seven,” Croal said.
During Thursday’s commissioning, Croal was accompanied by Hinterland Services Director Ramchand Jailal; District Coordinator, Governance, Tamika Beharry; and Assistant Regional Executive Officer, Deyon Seecharan.
New water systems were completed in Kurutuku, Kamarang, Jawalla, Kako, Tasserene, Kaikan, Isseneru, while Kangaruma’s system was rehabilitated during the period of 2021 and 2022.
Interventions this year include a new water supply system in Quebenang, Jawalla (Left Bank) Paruima, Dagg Point, Westerbeck and Five Miles, Bartica.
As these Ministry-led projects continue, the aim is for the number of residents with access to water in Region Seven to grow from 3818 persons or 34 per cent of the population in 2020 to almost 10,000 persons or 85 per cent of the population by the end of 2023.
Croal reiterated the Government’s commitment to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal Six, which speaks to the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.
In keeping with this goal, some $1.7 billion was allocated towards the completion of wells and distribution networks in the hinterland in this year.
In August, Croal had conducted a site inspection of the new $10 million well being drilled at Wauna, Region One (Barima-Waini), noting that it was on schedule to finish by the end of this month thereby providing potable water services to over 900 residents in the community and surrounding areas.
A few days prior to this visit, a $20 million water system was commissioned in the community of Kwebanna, Region One.
Notably, before 2023, only 10 per cent of Kwebanna’s population had access to water, from a shallow well and a few standpipes.
Overall, 97 per cent of Guyana’s population has access to clean potable water. However, for the hinterland and riverine communities, there is 75 per cent coverage and by the end of 2023, with investments being made, the coverage will increase to 83 per cent.