Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, in an invited comment, told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that the level in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) remains stable, measuring below 58.7 Georgetown Datum (GD), and is lowering progressively. “The EDWC is at a safe operating level,” he said.   
The excessive rainfall, a result of La Nina phenomenon, has seen the water in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) rising at an unprecedented rate.
Guyana’s drainage systems are geared to deal with 1.5 inches of rainfall per day, but over the last few days, have been battling with some eight inches and in the weeks before that, the rainfall was over six inches.
The EDWC’s capacity is 59 Georgetown Datum (GD) and on average its levels range between 50GD and 57GD.   
The highest level of the conservancy dam was nearer to 58GD on Tuesday evening, prompting the decision to release water via the Lama and Maduni sluices into the Mahaica River.
Additionally, from the onset of La Nina phenomenon, excess water has been released from the conservancy into the Demerara River via the five-door sluice at Land of Canaan and outlets and Kofi and Cunhia sluices. (Vanessa Narine)