Recover Guyana, GGI, Education Ministry launches water purification system

Creating opportunities to attain pure water, Recover Guyana, in partnership with the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI) and the Education Ministry, has officially launched the West Demerara Secondary School’s new water purification system.
This system has been designed to extend its impact far beyond water consumption.
It will serve as a live learning tool for the science department, where the process of reverse osmosis and ultraviolet filtration can be integrated into classroom instruction.

It will support Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) students by offering practical, real-world applications of scientific concepts covered in the curriculum.
Additionally, the school’s environmental club will be entrusted with overseeing aspects of the system’s basic operations and upkeep, giving students a meaningful role in the conservation of water and reduction of plastic waste.
By putting the project into the hands of young people, their aim is to nurture technical confidence, environmental leadership, and a sense of ownership that will carry forward into their communities and future careers.
Speaking at the event was Dr Dave Lalltoo, who relayed that in the long term, the school will save a vast array of money from this initiative.

“They will save approximately $55,000 per week by eliminating the need to purchase bottled water, amounting to over $2.8 million annually. Just as important, the school will be reducing its consumption of more than 35,000 plastic bottles each year and 175,000 by 2030. A direct contribution to Guyana’s national goals under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) 13 Climate Action.”
He added that the water is subjected to ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, which sterilises it by eliminating any remaining microorganisms without the use of chemicals.
On that note, it was underlined that a notable innovation of the system is the ability to automatically backwash and flush itself at a scheduled interval, reducing the need for manual maintenance, ensuring it is long-lasting and hygienic.
Furthermore, the system is designed with a closed-loop water recycling mechanism, where excess water, such as runoff from the motion sensor dispensers, is recaptured and treated again, minimising waste and maximising efficiency.

In fact, this system is set to be replicated in other schools across Guyana, bringing the same transformative goal.
“Looking ahead, our goal is clear: to replicate this system in other public secondary schools across Guyana, including special-needs educational institutions and those in hinterland and indigenous communities, by the year 2030. In doing so, we aim to create a generation of young people who are healthier, more informed, and more empowered,” Lalltoo stated.
This project is part of a wider initiative being implemented by Recover Guyana, and we are proud to say it aligns seamlessly with the GGI core pillars.
Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO) (Secondary) Sherwin Blackman relayed that this initiative gives students a vast sense of enhancement to the overall environment.
“It brings a deeper sense of appreciation when you can draw a glass of water, but it gives you a sense of ownership when you can go to a facility within your space where you can draw from it and drink. Once we can roll this out, it has other values that can enhance the environment,” he added.
“It gives you an opportunity to cut down on your cost because you don’t have to depend on the water at home or buy it here; you can get it right here at excellent quality.”