Over 900 Wauna residents to benefit from new $10M well upon completion

– expected to be opened by September month-end

The drilling of a new well at Wauna, Region One (Barima-Waini) is on schedule to finish in September, providing potable water services to over 900 residents in the community and surrounding areas.
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal visited the site to inspect the works and stated that the well is being dug by Guyana Water Incorporated at an estimated cost of $10 million.
Minister Croal said the project is on schedule to be completed by the end of September, and the area already has an existing distribution network. The community is currently receiving water from a reservoir in the neighbouring community of Wanania on a rotational basis.
This project was embarked on to fulfil a commitment made by President Dr Irfaan Ali during a previous engagement with the residents.
Several projects are ongoing through the Ministry to enhance water access for Region One. A few days ago, a $20 million water system was commissioned in the community of Kwebanna. Before 2023, only 10 per cent of Kwebanna’s population had access to water, from a shallow well and a few standpipes.
The Government has allotted $1.4 billion this year to drill wells and establish water distribution networks in the hinterland region. The objective is to attain 100 per cent water access for residents in these parts of Guyana by 2025. This is five years earlier than what is set out by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
To expedite access to potable water for residents, over $15 billion has been expended to make this a reality.
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. This is up from 45 per cent before Government took office.
Meanwhile, GWI is looking to establish 40 new wells and 30 water supply systems in hinterland regions this year, as part of the Government’s agenda to ensure every household is provided with potable water.
Once completed, these facilities would serve approximately 12,000 residents. Some 7000 residents are already receiving first-time access to potable water in their homes.
Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Susan Rodrigues told Region Nine residents last month,” “We will ensure access to clean and safe water for all by 2030 and we are going to do it five years earlier. We have 230 hinterland communities across the country, and our investments in the water sector will ensure this.”