Guyana Map – Regions
DPI, Added 16 July 2019.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Paramakatoi residents in Region 8, will soon reap the benefits of a very complex project that began in 2017 to provide easy access to potable water for the community.
Dr Van West-Charles, accompanied by technical personnel, on Sunday, went to Paramakatoi, (Potaro-Siparuni) Region 8 and trekked through the jungle to get a first-hand look of the recently completed water system so as to ensure all systems are in place for distribution to the community and for commissioning.
GWI’s Managing Director Dr Van West-Charles turns on the valve to release water into the community to commence the testing phase. (DPI)
While there, he turned on the valve to release water into the community to commence the testing phase of the new water supply system.
West-Charles thanked Christopher Cheong, a resident hired by GWI as a clerk of works, for his leadership in realising the new water system. The Managing Director noted that the project presented many challenges, which engineers managed to overcome.
This project fits directly into the Green State Development Strategy since it is solely powered by photovoltaic systems and it is also a realization of Sustainable Development Goal number 6, West-Charles added.
According to Executive Director of Hinterland Services, Ramchand Jailal, the source for the new water system is two springs which come together in a catchment area. It is then pumped half way up the hill using solar energy and stored in a reservoir. From there, another pump sends the water to a set of 12 storage tanks at the top of the mountain, where it is chlorinated then gravity-fed to the community through a total of 9km of transmission and distribution pipelines.
Two photovoltaic systems will power the water system during the day, while a generator will support the supply of power to the system.
Additionally, GWI intends to set up an office in the community and provide training for the maintenance of the water supply system. This will in turn provide employment for residents.
Toshao of Paramakatoi, Gideon John, and Deputy Toshao, Luelyn Sandwell, expressed their gratitude to the Managing Director and GWI staff for not giving up on the project when it seemed impossible to get done. They specifically thanked West-Charles for taking time to travel the distance and walk the miles to ensure it was satisfactorily completed.
Meanwhile on the other side of Region 8, the team visited a well site in Campbelltown, Mahdia that was completed in April, 2019. Since then, approximately 1 200 residents have been receiving improved water access, some of whom received first time access, with 20 hours of service a day.
The well was drilled at a depth of 426ft. Prior to this, residents exercised rainwater harvesting and purchased water from mobile trucks. (DPI)
