Fire damages GWI pump station

A fire, said to be electrical in origin, destroyed the electrical system at the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) pump station at Number Seven Village, West Coast Berbice on Saturday night leaving residents without running water.

The water utility’s Chief Executive Officer, Karan Singh told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that GWI will be working towards ensuring delivery of water to the communities that are more severely affected while the damaged components are being replaced.

A press release from GINA quoted Singh as saying that the fire which started around 10 pm on Saturday was caused by a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) problem which damaged GWI’s electrical panel at the pump station, which was not in operation at the time. According to Singh, residents heard a loud explosion and saw sparks coming from the GPL pole which subsequently affected the electrical panel causing complete damage to the electrical system.

He stated that the utility is working towards obtaining a new panel to replace the one damaged, so that potable water can be restored.

Residents are urged not to damage GWI’s water distribution networks and pipelines to get water and the utility will be working towards ensuring delivery of water to the communities that are more severely affected via trucks, the release said. It added that pumping water from the Bath Settlement and D’Edward wells are under consideration, which would provide some relief to residents but will not give the same level of service.