Dear Editor,

The Environmental Protection Agency would like to make reference to a letter titled ‘There is no report of what tests were done on the water of the Haieka River‘ by Alfred Bhulai which was published in January 21, 2012 edition of Stabroek News.

Please be advised that representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Guyana Geology Mines Commission (GG&MC), and the Ministry of Health visited the Chinowieng and Wax Creek area to conduct investigations.

There are currently no mining operations in the Haieka River along which the communities of Chinowieng and Wax Creek are located.  Furthermore, the closest mining operation is located downstream in the Mazaruni River. Given that river pollution generally travels from upstream locations, and there are no mining operations above Chinowieng, the investigating teams did not test for mercury.

However, tests were conducted for the following water quality parameters: dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solid (TDS), salinity and cadmium. The results indicated that dissolved oxygen was below acceptable limits; while COD and cadmium were slightly above acceptable limits according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and US EPA recommended levels for drinking water (further information can be obtained from the EPA at its offices in Sophia).  It should be noted that these results do not provide a conclusive explanation for the death of only one fish species in the area.

The Agency is currently collaborating with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, and the University of Guyana (Centre for Study of Biological Diversity) to further investigate  fish deaths in the Kako, Kamarang, Quebadang, Waramadong, Jawalla, Phillipai communities. During these investigations, further testing, including that for mercury, will be conducted towards determining the cause of the fish deaths of the single fish species in these areas.

Please be reminded that the EPA remains committed to the prevention and control of pollution towards a safe and healthy environment for all.

Yours faithfully,
Parmanand Persaud
Stakeholders Support Officer
Ministry of Natural Resources
and the Environment