– residents overjoyed their prayers have been answered
 

RESIDENTS of the predominantly Amerindian community of Wakapao on the Lower Pomeroon River are overjoyed with relief now that their prayers for “potable and clean” water have been answered.

The community had for the past two months been experiencing a long dry spell, which resulted in many creeks and savannahs drying up.

The children, particularly those attending primary and nursery school, were mostly affected since many of them were forced to drink the contaminated water, since salt water from the Pomeroon River had seeped into the creek area affecting the livelihoods of many.

The issue was duly reported to the regional administration, the Civil Defence Commission and also the Guyana Water Incorporated.

The result was that on Tuesday, a team of health officials, among them Regional Health Officer, Afarah Khan, paid the community a visit to assess the situation and ensure that it is fully quipped with medical supplies in case of an outbreak.

The GWI also came along and did their bit, installing five slow-sand filters in the community. Two of the filters were installed at the school, another two at the dormitory, and one in the school’s kitchen.

GWI, having assessed the situation, on Wednesday installed another six of the slow-sand filters in the community. Now, water is being pumped from the Wakapoa Creek into water tanks and then placed into drums in which the filters have been installed.

GWI’s Managing Director, Dr Richard Van-West Charles and a team of engineers and regional officials on Thursday met with residents to brief them on the systems.
The managing director urged residents to ensure that the filters are never dry, and the receptacles are properly covered and utilised wisely.
Dr Van-West Charles reminded residents that the provision of clean water is in keeping with the mandate of the GWI to ensure there is equal access to safe water to all Guyanese.

He said that in the coming week, GWI will be installing more of the filters to ensure that all of the residents in that village have access to safe water, which is critical for human health.
Additionally, next week, the utility company will be installing ultraviolet sterilisers to remove any bacteria which may be in the water.
GWI will be testing the water on a monthly basis, and providing the results to the Wakapoa Village Council as well as the Health Centre.
TRAINING

Dr Van-West Charles said that residents within the area will be trained on how to manage and effectively use the system. Jerrycans, which serve as water filters, were handed over to the village council for the use of far fetch homes.
He also told residents that the GWI will be working with them to have the 9,000-gallon reservoir the village has cleaned and disinfected by month-end.

When done, the reservoir will be used to store safe water for use by all residents.
The utility’s engineers will also be examining the possibility of establishing a catchment area where water can be stored then moved into the filtration system.
Scores of residents have expressed satisfaction for the much-needed intervention. Village Councillor Marcie Fredericks thanked the team from GWI on behalf of the Council and the community.
A few filters are to be set up in the Mora and Yarashirima areas, and with the permission from the Ministry of Education, students will be taught how to operate them.