Region 1 water woes to end soon

Residents of Region One (Barima-Waini) communities are soon to benefit from access to potable water after the many challenges they faced as a result of the prolonged dry weather pattern.
The Guyana Water Incorporated visited the area last week and commenced enhancement works as well as drilling of new wells in some communities. Region One Chairman, Brentnol Ashley said he welcomes the work and expressed hope that it is completed within the stipulated time thereby offering permanent relief to those residents who continue to suffer from the lack of access to water in those communities. The regional administration is involved and supports the interventions being made by the water company.
Over the months, residents have complained about the hardships they were faced with without access to water. Their springs were dry and they were also unable to use the river as an alternative means since GWI issued a statement prohibiting the use of the river water for consumption due to contamination.
A team from GWI, headed by its Managing Director Dr Van West-Charles, visited sites where the works are to be done. The spring which supplies the community of Mabaruma has been cleaned and refurbished and an overhead tank activated.
In Port Kaituma, a new well has been drilled and the laying of pipes is nearing completion. Further enhancement works to be completed in that community include the construction of a discharge – the connection of two wells to the transmission line – and the interconnection and installation of gate valves, which are used to control the water supply network. There will also be disinfection of the pipelines before the new wells are activated. Some 540 residents of that community will benefit from improved water access.
The only source of water for those residents is the Port Kaituma River which stands the risk of contamination from mining, agricultural and other activities and as such the drilling of this well is a move to transition 50 per cent of Port Kaituma to groundwater supply. This includes the school, hospital and the entire Fitsburg area.
Hinterland Services Director of GWI Ramchand Jailall acknowledged the hardships that were being faced by those residents as a result of the dry spell and as such, noted that the new wells are being drilled at a depth of about 230 metres and additional drilling pipes are being mobilised to advance the deeper drilling. Other Region One communities where wells are being drilled include Kamwatta, White Water and 1-4 Miles.
The team also visited Matthews Ridge where residents depend on a spring using gravity feed for water supply. During the inspection, it was discovered that this was not an adequate supply of water and as such, measures are to be put in place for the drilling of a well in that community.
Meanwhile, Dr Van West-Charles committed to all works being completed within two months and pointed out that while some communities were not targeted in this exercise, provisions will be made in the company’s 2020 budget.
He reiterated the company’s efforts in ensuring safe water for all in keeping with its Sustainable Development Goal.