Georgetown: Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) continues to assist Hinterland communities affected by the current prolonged dry weather. The GWI Hinterland Team is currently conducting remedial works and other interventions in Central Lethem, Aishalton, Achiwib, Region 9, Kamwatta and Koko, Region 1.
According to Hinterland Manager, GWI, Osei Manifold, ‘due to the prolonged dry season, the static water level of the wells in the communities we are currently monitoring, have decreased. The static water level is the distance from the land surface (or the measuring point) to the water in the well. The current climatic conditions have significantly affected these wells, however while the levels have decreased, the wells are still producing water though at reduced levels’.
In addition, the well station serving the community of Aishalton is currently experiencing technical difficulties due to a defective control box which has caused the electrical pump, which supplies power to the station, to malfunction. The well station at Achiwib is also experiencing challenges due to a damaged electrical pump.
‘The replacement parts necessary for these repairs have been delivered to Central Lethem,’ stated Manifold, ‘and the GWI Team will be travelling to each community by Friday, January 8 to assist the Regional Authorities with these urgent repairs’.
The Hinterland Manager concluded that all repairs should be completed by Sunday, January 10.
In addition, GWI has commenced a programme to provide the Hinterland communities of Kamwatta and Koko, Region 1 with improved access to potable water through the construction of new well stations and the installation of stand-pipes for both communities at a cost of over G$10 Million.
Following a reconnaissance visit to both communities by the Hinterland Manager, the company is prepared to commence the drilling of new well stations at Kamwatta and Koko, Region 1 in mid-January, 2016.
According to the Hinterland Manager, ‘both communities have significant water supply challenges. In fact, the residents of Koko depend on rain water harvesting for their water supply. Hence, the construction of these new wells is vital to improving the standard of living in both Hinterland communities’.
In addition to the construction of the well stations, the programme will involve erecting over-head storage tanks capable of storing in excess of 1800 gallons of water for more efficient water service.
The programme will also encompass the installation of stand-pipes at key locations within Kamwatta and Koko which are easily accessible and convenient for residents to access the service.
‘In excess of 400 residents will benefit from improved access to safe water upon completion of both wells,’ stated Manifold, ‘in particular, residents of Koko will be relieved following the construction of the new well station since the community has no water supply system. In the past, residents utilized ‘hand dug wells’, but due to the prolonged dry season this is no longer an option. Every effort is being made to install the new systems in the swiftest manner possible’.
Emphasis will be placed on schools and health facilities to ensure these institutions receive consistent water supply.
The installation of the water supply systems at Kamwatta and Koko forms part of GWI’s overall Hinterland Water Supply Improvement Programme which has received an investment by the Government of Guyana in excess of G$130 Million for 2015.
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