MANAGERS of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) in the 10 administrative regions are all upbeat about the successes of projects being undertaken this year.During a press conference on Wednesday at the water company’s Corporate Complex at Vlissengen Road and Church Street, Georgetown, they pointed to successful projects which have improved the supply of potable water.

Region 4 Divisional Manager, Curtis Niles, reported that in a section of Lamaha Park residents who had never received potable water are now being served, since distribution lines and service connections were installed at the location.

GWI has also installed 12-inch transmission lines at Duncan Street,Georgetown and successfully laid transmission lines at Liliendaal from the Turkeyen well, located on the East Coast of Demerara.

And two wells are being constructed at North Ruimveldt, with one being 50% completed; and at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, GWI has embarked on rehabilitation works. At ‘C’ Field Sophia, the network has been upgraded to ensure transmission lines are adequate to fully supply the area.

Meanwhile, Divisional Manager Orin Dhanraj told the press conference that on the lower East Coast Demerara, leaks to overhead tanks were repaired, while extensive works were completed at the Hope Canal area and at Doch Four with the installation of distribution lines.

Divisional Manager Nishal Samaroo said that in the first half of the year, a new well which serves 150 residents was drilled at Hill Foot on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway (East Bank Demerara) and distribution mains were installed at the Diamond Well Station where there was a major challenge to restore potable water supply in June.

Assistant Divisional Manager for Region 6, Randolph Leitch, said that in Sandvoort, West Canje Berbice, distribution mains and new connection lines have been installed, and some customers have since been regularised.

In Fyrish and Tarlogie, Corentyne, extensive works have been done to have potable water service from Number 60 to Number 67, and works ongoing from Number 66 to Number 75 Village are about 30% completed.

Leitch added that in the Corentyne villages of Liverpool/Auchlyne, GWI installed distribution mains to improve coverage, and installed newer lines in Canefield and Agony’s Avenue as well.

He also said that GWI has upgraded the service in Region 5, where leaks and lines in bushes were repaired and replaced.

The Region Ten Divisional Manager Rawle Friday said GWI has constructed two new wells and two new water treatment plants which have benefited 18,000 customers in Blueberry Hill, where there is now 24-hour service, bringing water pressure to customers’ first floors.

Friday said also that GWI has started to decommission old mains in Mackenzie and West Watooka.

WATER IN GREEN VALLEY
Moreover, 50 customers will get potable water for the very first time in Green Valley, and remedial works are being done to water filters in Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc.

Osei Manifold, Divisional Manager for Regions 1, 2, 8 and 9 said GWI has completed five out of eight village projects at Monkey Mountain, Princeville and Mahdia. He noted that 350 residents are receiving water for the very first time in Princeville, and said the water company is working to have a similar service at Mahdia with the drilling of a new well there.

Manifold said deeper wells are being dug to ensure that residents in the far-fetched areas get water in the dry season, and a new tank is being constructed in Mabaruma.

In Port Kaituma, due to mining the river water being contaminated, GWI has had to drill a new well there, and that project will be completed in 2 or 3 years’ time.

Region 7 Divisional Manager Elson Khirattie said that GWI has had some challenges in Bartica, due to population growth, and the company has had to install new distribution lines to service Central Bartica and have that area sectionalised.

Region 3 Divisional Manager Martin Gurrick said improvements are being made to boost the level of service from Hubu to Parika. The water service is to be restored to normalcy at Meten -Meer-Zorg, and GWI is dealing with problems at La Parfaite Harmonie and Canal No. 2, where there is no water supply at times.

Gurrick informed that a new well will be drilled at Schoonord, and unserved areas at Zeelugt and Parika will be made a priority.