Scores of West Coast Demerara (WCD) residents from Meten-Meer-Zorg, De Kinderen and Kastev, among other villages, are forced to “make do” with just one drum of water supplied every other day by the courtesy of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) water trucks, which have been distributing water for over a month now, as residents have been without running water for over two months, and have had to resort to fetching water from long distances to survive.
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) water truck being used to distribute water to areas without flowing water
This publication understands that the water pressure first began to decrease in late July 2017, and over time, the water stopped flowing completely.
Enquires made by residents revealed that the problems were being encountered because of the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL’s) voltage fluctuation and power failures.
However, it is now being reported that two pumps on the West Coast of Demerara are in need of rehabilitation as they are reportedly punctured, causing the water shortage.
Contact made with GWI Public Relations Officer (PRO) Leanna Bradshaw in regard to the water situation in West Demerara has proven futile.
Residents are thanking the water company for the distribution of water, but are calling for their water supply to be restored, as the water presently being distributed is insufficient.
This publication understands that each home is allowed a maximum of one drum of water, which is deemed “too little” to complete household chores. Those who cannot afford to purchase water for cooking and drinking are also complaining that the water being provided by GWI is unsanitary.
According to De Kinderen resident Sherrian Thompson, “They only does give us one drum of water. Now, if the water was clean, it wouldn’t have been so bad. One drum! And the water does got things floating inside. I am a poor woman, what do they expect me to do? Because I gotta use that same water for drinking and so.”
Richard Charles, another resident of De Kinderen, explained that he is dissatisfied with the present situation, and noted that “more can be done”. He said, “Look how long now we deh like this hey. This is too long for them (GWI) not to be able to repair whatever they gotta repair by now man. This is frustrating me and my family. For how much longer?”
Just recently, residents of La Grange and La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara (WBD) were encountering similar issues. However, the water company had water restored to those areas within a number of days.
Currently, in Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast, residents are also encountering low levels of running water.
