FOR the first time in years, residents of ‘D’ and ‘E’ Fields in Sophia, Greater Georgetown, now have access to tap water in their homes, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) announced on Saturday.

More than 20,000 residents are now benefiting from this project, which entailed extending to Sophia transmission lines from newly rehabilitated wells in North Ruimveldt, Georgetown and from Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, GWI explained.

A statement issued by GWI has said residents are in high praise of the water-providing entity. “Some residents have contacted GWI to express their appreciation in being able to gain access to water in their homes after such a prolonged period,” GWI has said.

Councillor of Constituency Six, Lyndon Hilliman, welcomed the new service connections. “We waited a long time, but it was worth the wait. The service is great in terms of the pressure, and quality is better than before…. It is also less time-consuming, because now we are getting easy access from our taps,” he explained.

He also said: “Parents no longer have to worry about the safety of their children, who used to go to the blacka (canal)… Now they can go to the tap and get water right away.”

Hilliman explained that he has been able to reduce his electricity cost, since the water is flowing with a pressure that does not require a pump to fill his tank.

Another Councillor, Andriea Marks, said: “It is a pleasure having the new Government in power. They bring a great relief to Sophia residents, who haven’t had water for about three years now. It’s a great relief to wake up in the morning and there is water, and it is proper.”

Ms. Marks further noted, “I think I am speaking on behalf of all residents when I say I must give praise and thanks to the new Government and the CEO at GWI for working so hard at a very ‘molesting cost’, because when I couldn’t get water I pressured him a lot.”

GWI will be laying one and a half miles of pipeline to improve water supply in ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ Fields, Sophia, and will be erecting stand pipes in areas of Sophia that have not yet been regularised, so as to avoid breakage of lines.

Sophia residents are expected to commence paying for water services from January, 2017.

Thus far for 2016, GWI has provided access to water to a number of communities for the first time. These include Lamaha Park in Georgetown, Little Diamond Squatting Area on the East Bank Demerara; Hill Foot and Back Street in Soesdyke/Linden Highway; Liverpool Middle Walk Dam Squatting Area; Number One Road, Fyrish; Auchlyne; Tarlogie; Grant 1780 Crabwood Creek, all Corentyne communities; Glasgow Village on the East Bank of Berbice; Sandvoort Village in West Canje, Berbice; Canfield New Area in East Canje; and Number 72 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

GWI is also in the process of installing service connections in communities such as Andy Ville in Linden; Timehri North on the East Bank of Demerara; and Angoy’s Avenue in New Amsterdam, Berbice. These initiatives are part of GWI’s drive to ensure equal access to potable water for all citizens.