THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has appealed to residents of Mahdia in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) to ‘bear up’ with the current problems they are experiencing in connection with the water shortage there.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Collin Croal made the appeal yesterday during a press conference at the Ministry’s Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown office where he was joined by Minister Ganga Persaud and Deputy Permanent Secretary Abena Moore.

Croal informed that the authorities are effecting a short term solution, which involves drilling shallow wells, inserting wells and pumps, among other equipment.
The long term issue of drilling deep water wells is being considered at the executive level, he said.
At present, the authorities are aware that schools and other public places are without water and a technical team will commence work today, Croal said.
Persaud said there are inevitable issues that arise at Mahdia whenever there is a dry season. While he was in the process of delivering his remarks, he said he was informed that the residents of Mahdia were protesting this and other situations.
He said the protest was being led by the Alliance for Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and that it was unfortunate that people are continuing to be misled under the banner of politics.
Further, the minister declared it was regrettable that the residents allowed the politicians, who are just out to score cheap political points, to mislead them.
Meanwhile, the Regional Administration of Region 8 last Wednesday met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Mr. Shaik Baksh and the Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Colonel (ret’d) Chabilall Ramsurup and held discussions as it relates to an emergency water supply intervention for Mahdia and its environs.

Technical options
During the meeting between the three agencies, several technical options were discussed, one of which included the establishment of a water station or two at an existing well site. The agencies agreed that this measure may bring some amount of relief in the shortest possible time.
The intervention will comprise the removal of a hand pump, installing 200 feet of galvanize pipes to the depth of 200 feet, the installation of a submersible pump and requisite plumbing connections.
While this measure will not be able to re-pressure the distribution process, it would make water available at a more central location within the community.
An elevated stage will be constructed for storage, where it is anticipated that 4,500 gallons would be stored.
Meantime, the Administration indicated that it is expected that the pump will be in operation for extended hours during the day.
The quality of the water will be monitored and, if necessary, treated. The operations of the pump will also be monitored, since the volume of the aquifer is unknown. Medium and long term plans are still being explored so as to bring a permanent remedy to the water woes of the community, officials said.

Natural disruptions
The Salbora water system has been plagued in the past by several man made and natural disruptions. The administration said according to local reports the loss of volume at the reservoir is normal for this time of the year.
However, due to the factors associated with the current weather pattern and climate change, the water level at the facility is at an all time low.
Mahdia is usually supplied by the Salbora gravity water system but, as of recent weeks, due to the prolonged dry season and the discovery of seepages, the reservoir is only now at about 35 percent of its storage capacity.
The loss of volume has had an equal reduction in the water pressure within the distribution system and, currently, it only allows the water to reach a section called ‘Water Dog’, situated approximately two miles away from central Mahdia.
During the past couple of days, the Public Works Department in the Region, along with volunteers from Mahdia and Campbell Town, would have embarked on a desilting and cleaning exercise at the reservoir and throughout the distribution system.
As a result of this activity, the volume in the reservoir gradually increased and the intervention would have allowed the distribution network to be pressured for the approximately two remaining miles. During that time certain sections of Mahdia received water, but for a very limited time.
The situation has worsened over the past few days where there is a total disruption of the service and government buildings and residents are currently affected and rely on private contractors for the supply and delivery of water.