THE Guyana Water Incorporated last Friday commissioned two C2 filter tanks in Kamarang and Kako, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).In Kamarang, the filter which is connected at the Upper Mazaruni District Hospital, will also serve the Kamarang Primary School and residents, a release from GWI said. The source of water being purified is the Kamarang River. Over in Kako, the filter was installed nearby the primary and nursery schools to treat the water from the river and serve the schools’ population and residents as well.
Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, told Principal of the school, Ms. Kathleen Andrews and the Doctor-in-Charge at the hospital, Dr. Amitraj Persaud, to ensure only filtered water is used for consumption. This, he said, will help to significantly reduce diarrheal cases in the region. Dr. Van-West Charles explained that the filter removes bacteria and other viruses present in the water.
The Managing Director of GWI reiterated that the utility is working to ensure that all hinterland areas have access to potable water, especially the schools and hospitals there. He assured the villagers that GWI personnel will train them to operate the filter and to ensure the water distribution system is functional at all times.
Also present at the commissioning was Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe. She encouraged residents to make good use of the filtered water and urged Ms. Andrews to put arrangements in place to ensure the water is fully utilised at the school. The team of GWI officials headed by Dr. Van-West Charles and accompanied by Minister Garrido-Lowe also visited the village of Paramakatoi to assess the water distribution system and look at ways of improving it to allow all residents easy access. The community currently depends on a reservoir of spring water that is deemed insufficient and villagers also complained of droughts during the period of January to March.
In this regard, Executive Director of Project Implementation & Partnership Building, Mr. Ramchand Jailal, agreed to meet with a team of villagers in Georgetown, who are proposing a plan for a new water system.
Dr. Van West-Charles advised that they explore the possibilities of drilling a well, rain water harvesting and another source of spring water. Vice-Toshao, Mr. Jimmy James said residents are willing to pool their resources and skills with GWI to improve the system there.
The visit to the three hinterland villages forms part of GWI’s mandate to guarantee equal access to potable water to citizens countrywide.
