THE Ministry of Housing and Water through the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) is exploring the possibility of utilising the Northern Relief Channel, better known as the “Hope Canal,” as a water reservoir to cater for the growing needs of residents on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) corridor.

This was disclosed by subject Minister Collin Croal during a recent interview with this publication; he indicated that tests are currently being done to ascertain the viability of such a venture, noting that once those tests come back with a positive answer, the government will move to utilise the canal to improve water access in several communities.

“We currently have a study that is being embarked on for the usage of the “Hope Canal” as a reservoir for the delivery of water to residents on the East Coast, so that is a study. Of course, you have to have a study to see if it’s viable, the quality of the water, etc., so if that study proves successful then it will mean a lot for us in delivery of water on the East Coast,” Minister Croal stated.

The “Hope Canal” or Northern Relief Channel, which is located at Hope/Dochfour, East Coast Demerara is a massive, multi-component channel that utilises a sturdy, eight-gate sluice to release excess water into the Atlantic Ocean at times when the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) reaches maximum capacity.

The $ 3.6 billion channel was constructed on November 9, 2013, in response to the 2005 flooding, when a breach in the embankment resulted in floods to almost the entire East Coast of Demerara, causing significant damage to agricultural and residential areas.

Boosting Capacity
Notwithstanding plans to utilise the “Hope Canal” for improved water supply, the Housing Minister further indicated that the government will also be investing some $411 million over the next three months to construct water wells across Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Croal told the Guyana Chronicle that some of those projects have commenced, and should be completed by the end of this year.

Some $150 million is being expended to construct a well at Lusignan, while wells are also being constructed at Providence, Wakenaam and Parika Backdam, for $106 million, $50 million, and $80 million, respectively.

Additionally, Minister Croal said that five wells are being drilled at communities along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, at an aggregate cost of $25 million.

“Our aim is to have an improved level of service, both in terms of reach and the quality of water that is being delivered to households. So, every time we drill a new well it is to increase our coverage and keep as part of our goal, accessibility to safe water by all our citizens. So, work on these wells is a direct part of our five-year mandate and vision at GWI,” Minister Croal said.

The Housing and Water Minister said that the works at Soesdyke, Wakenaam, and Parika are all being done by an “in-house” team from the GWI, while the other ongoing works are being outsourced to independent contractors.

Minister Croal further said that those upgrades are especially important given the government’s expanding housing programme. He noted that several of those new wells will serve to improve the water supply in several existing and potential communities.

“These wells are going to serve not just the community they are in, but also several surrounding communities to boost the water pressure in those communities. The one that we’re doing at Providence will start shortly and will help Herstelling, Providence, Peters Hall… if we connect a number of those households right now, it would drop the pressure at Eccles, so all these wells that we are doing are important,” Minister Croal related.