THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), on Sunday, fulfilled a promise to return to the community of Apoteri, Region Nine, some five hours outside of Lethem, to conduct resistivity logging exercises there.

The visiting team comprised GWI engineers and Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles.

Approximately two weeks ago, the team visited the community to assess its water needs and a decision was made to drill another well to complement the existing one and serve residents living farther away.

The resistivity logging entails the search for water sources beneath the earth’s surface and through deep rock formation, a release said.

This activity helps to inform the decision-making process and identify where the well must be drilled. The engineers conducted resistivity logging in Rewa and Crashwater as well.

During the visit, the managing director met with the residents and explained that in the past, drillers would turn up to any given village and randomly drill a well with no findings to support. However, after being equipped with new technology, the company is better able to determine where to drill and to what depth. This has moved the company from taking months to drill a well to a matter of days.

Responding to a question posed by a resident living outside of the central part of the village, Dr. Van-West Charles noted that once a map of the village can be presented, this will assist GWI in the layout of the distribution network to ensure the pipelines reach their homes.

Meanwhile, during a meeting with residents of Sawariwau, last Friday, Dr. Van-West Charles posited that GWI is creating a paradigm shift as it relates to water access in Region Nine.
The drilling of 22 wells in 2019 and first-time potable water access to over 80,000 persons from 2015-2019, are evidence that significant progress is being made in the water sector.
He added that this momentum will continue, as government has seen the need to invest in two drilling rigs, which would see more wells being drilled within a short space of time.
He also met with residents of Moco Moco last Saturday and informed them that GWI has installed a pressure switch that would now allow them 24 hours access to water.

Recently, GWI commissioned a new water supply system at Moco Moco, installed showers for pensioners and employed two service men as full time staff to maintain the water system.

Executive Director of Hinterland Services, Ramchand Jailal, said GWI has completed the installation of the distribution network for a large section of the village and under the 2020 budget, the remainder of the community will benefit.