─ water security on the horizon

— several riverain communities to also benefit from improved water supply

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Improved quality and a more reliable water supply are slated to flow through the taps of hundreds of residents in Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region 7, as the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) continues its efforts to provide clean potable water for all.

Bartica will receive its first well this year; this was announced by Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles who cited this initiative as a first step of many.

The utility company has made several strides towards upgrading water infrastructure in the Region including its recent remedial works to the water filtration system in several areas in the Bartica township. This system allows for less contamination in the water supply.

Dr. Van West-Charles explained that the move takes into consideration the rapid pace at which Bartica is growing.

“We just got the approval. With the new technology we have with drilling wells I feel that we should be able in Bartica itself and 4 Miles and 5 Miles… to drill one or two wells which will give us more water security within the Bartica area,” he said.

The recent passing of the $154Million supplemental budget allocation for GWI has made provision for the procurement of the water filters and the new well.

The community currently does not have any dug water wells, instead, it uses surface water which has proven to have some levels of contamination. However, according to Dr. Van West-Charles following a series of tests with specialised filters, there is evidence that the new filters will improve the quality of water and reduce the importation of chemicals used to treat the water.

Bartica is one of several areas being targetted by GWI for the provision of improved water access and quality. The company has embarked on digging new and deeper wells, building new water networks and providing first time access to clean potable water throughout Guyana with special emphasis on Hinterland communities.

This serves as part of its mandate to ensure that all services available on the coast are accessible in Hinterland regions and is in keeping with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #5 which seeks to ensure that all citizens have access to clean water and sanitation.