THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) intends to drill a new well in the community of Mahdia to increase access to potable water.

This announcement was made by Managing Director of the utility agency, Dr. Van West-Charles during a visit to Mahdia, Region Eight on Saturday. The visit was made after residents called for improved and increased access to water in the community due to a growing population.

A call was also made for GWI to establish a permanent presence in the mining community to address issues which surface from time to time.

According to GWI in a release, residents explained that they endure constant disruptions and low level of service due to pipelines being broken during road works, clogged lines and unauthorised connections by miners.

They specifically mentioned that the dry season also impacts heavily on the community, and that the catchment area at the Salbora Creek and the existing reservoir has become insufficient to supply the increased population.

After hearing these concerns, the Managing Director told the residents that providing improved water supply is part of the mandate of GWI. He then announced the agency’s plan to drill a new well in the community so as to ensure adequate access for all.

However, he was keen to note that community’s involvement is integral to moving forward and that residents must share their knowledge with GWI’s engineers for the development of the water distribution system.

“I would like to have a representative group from the community to meet with engineers to agree on the design of the system…Those of you who have technical and community knowledge, come together and decide on a suitable design”, Dr. Van West-Charles said.

The Managing Director then instructed residents to identify representatives to form a committee that is capable of making recommendations to the engineers for the design of a system that can respond to the needs of Mahdia, while taking into account other existing sources of water.

Representatives will be drawn from Central Mahdia, Campbelltown, Seven Miles, Danjou Hill and the Airstrip – all of which make up the entire community.

The release states that they are expected to provide GWI’s Hinterland Manager, Mr. Osei Manifold with the list of names by March 17, 2017, after which they are to produce a draft design by March 31.

Another community meeting will be held on April 8, with the view of reviewing and reaching a consensus on the new design and plan.

It was noted that residents are of the belief that the setting up of an office and having engineers stationed in the village will see their concerns being addressed in a timely manner, while at the same time ensuring the efficiency of contractors.

However the Managing Director revealed that this is already a plan-in- the-making. He said that GWI officials will look at the feasibility of establishing the office within the next two months. Executive Director of Finance, Mr. Jaigopaul Ram also pledged GWI’s commitment to the materialisation of the office.