– GGMC report says

THE results of tests conducted at Port Kaituma in the North West District for the presence of mercury in the water supplied to residents have found that levels were within the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

This is according to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). In a press statement attributed to GGMC Commissioner (acting) Newell Dennison, it was noted that the tests indicated that the levels were within the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Levels for drinking water.

According to Dennison, following a report in July this year about mercury contamination in the Port Kaituma River from where water was being supplied to residents, the body dispatched, on July 26, 2018, a joint team that included the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate. Test results have revealed mercury levels higher than the concentration acceptable to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the Port Kaituma River, thus making it unsafe for use. Mercury is a heavy metal in liquid form used during gold-mining activities.

According to a report in July, since Guyana Water Inc (GWI) discovered the presence of the substance in the Port Kaituma River back in May this year, it took a decision to cease pumping the water to residents while it carried out tests at other sections of the source.
Part of GWI’s mandate is to ensure that water is safe, so tests are carried out regularly. Samples were taken from the Port Kaituma River and sent to the Kaizen Environmental Services Laboratory in Trinidad, where it tested positive for mercury.

Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles and a team of officials met with the chairperson and councillors of the Matarkai Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in Port Kaituma in July to discuss with them the company’s challenges and plans to address the issue, since residents are heavily dependent on surface water from the Port Kaituma River.

In a subsequent press release, GWI explained that there are two wells in the community which GWI intends to activate. One is situated at Turn Basin and another at Citrus Grove, both in Port Kaituma.