‘On site’ water access for the South Willem Housing Scheme
– improved water quality planned for Golden Grove
Minister Susan Rodrigues interacts with the residents of De Willem.
A resident of the Golden Grove gets the undivided attention of Minister Rodrigues.
Kaieteur News – New homeowners living in the South Willem Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (Essequibo-West Demerara Islands) can comfortably access water in their buildings, while prospective occupants may consider building their homes, now that there is a water distribution system at work.
The realization of this new water network, according to information released by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), follows intervention by Ministry of Housing and Water Minister Susan Rodrigues, who visited the area on Tuesday at the invitation of the residents.
Prior to her visit, Minister Rodrigues received complaints from members of the community about the lack of live-in infrastructure. During her meeting with them, the Minister explained that the recently installed water system is only a temporary solution.
She noted that her Ministry is on a quest to ensure that new housing schemes are developed with the basic facilities like water and given that this scheme has been in place for over five years, such services should already be in place.
As part of plans to provide immediate relief, Minister Rodrigues informed residents that a community water supply provision of over 300 lots has been realized by connecting a six-inch transmission pipeline to the South Willem water distribution network , which is supplied by Uitvlugt Water Treatment Equipment. This is a short-term mechanism that would see residents receiving water at the standpipe level on their site.
The Ministry, in conjunction with the GWI, is expected to have a permanent solution, which involves a direct connection to Uitvlugt Water Treatment Works, using an eight-inch transmission line. This would allow a significant improvement in the level of service to all homes.
To benefit from the water supply, residents are required to apply for their individual service connections, at which point installation will take place.
The Minister also promised, through the CH&PA, that efforts will be made to ensure electricity supply in the area.
Residents, in thanking the Minister, noted that it was a great relief, especially to those who have already moved into their new homes.
Meanwhile, the Minister on Tuesday also returned to the Golden Grove community on the East Coast of Demerara to meet residents. While there, he informed them of the work that has begun to improve their water service.
Last Saturday, the Minister attended an outreach with President Irfaan Ali when water quality concerns were raised.
Minister Rodrigues had explained that the GWI undertakes assessments to address the quality of service, which they receive. The community receives a 24-hour water service but there is a high concentration of iron. To address this issue immediately, GWI will flush the pipelines. Minister Rodrigues stated that he would see to it that a timetable was being implemented to ensure that flushing was carried out on a regular basis. Plans are also underway to repair leaks along the network, which would help prevent contamination and further improve water quality.
A long-term solution, however, is to install in-line filters to treat the water. The Minister for Housing and Water highlighted that 52 per cent of Guyana currently receives access to treated water and the government is committed to providing treated water for at least 90 per cent of the population by the end of his current term of office.