–impeding pressure on taps while filling up tanks

RESIDENTS of the Region Eight community of Mahdia are up in arms over the actions of a water supplier who has been selling them the precious liquid from the water system while impeding the pressure in pipes which run into the community.

The water supply situation in the Potaro/Siparuni administrative capital has for years been a contentious issue, and several persons who spoke to this publication this week have expressed frustration and growing concerns regarding the unreliable water network there.

To compound matters, persons noted that the dry weather conditions have impacted the Salbora Creek water system, a key source of potable water to households in the community.

The Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) and the Region Eight Administration are working to improve the water supply network at Mahdia, but residents noted on Tuesday that in the absence of a reliable network, a trucker has been exploiting the situation. According to reports, residents have, for several years, been paying the private supplier large sums of money for the supply of water; to wit $6000 per black tank of water, $1000 for a 45-gallon drum and $200 per five-gallon bucket.

A resident in the area reported on Tuesday that this ‘main supplier’ has taken control of the network, and spends as much as two and a half hours filling his tanks while residents are made to wait. Efforts to reach this supplier and Regional Executive Officer Raphael Downes on Tuesday proved futile, as their phones went to voicemail.

A resident of 111 Miles Potaro Road noted that the low water pressure results in water reaching only the bottom of the hill-top community. “He claims the region gave him permission, but Brother (the REO) refuted (that claim)”, the resident noted.

The woman, who chose to remain anonymous, noted that two weeks ago residents of the community were incensed when fire engulfed and eventually destroyed a house along the Seven Miles road. She said the supplier was approached by fire officials when their water had run out, but the supplier told the firemen that his tanks were empty. According to her, residents proved otherwise.

She explained that another situation arose when road works were recently being undertaken in the area and the water supplier refused to move from the pipes even as the team informed that water was needed to carry out works to the roadway.

“The REO had to call the (Regional) chairman and they had to call the engineer so that the man could move and stop filling up”, she added.

The GWI stated last November that it would be exploring the drilling of a new well for Mahdia as it looks to safeguard and regularise the community’s potable water supply; while, in the short term, it would provide a pump to boost supply. GWI’s plans include installation of a reservoir in order to improve the performance of the water supply system in the Region Eight community.

Mahdia was established in 1884 by emancipated slaves, and has since become home to both locals and non-locals. It is slated for commissioning as a town in 2017.