Buxton canal blocked for construction of second pump station

Workers with General Engineering Supplies and Services Inc drive sheet piles into the recently drained Company Path basin as the work began yesterday to construct a pump station which is expected to alleviate flooding in Buxton. See story on page 10. (Photo by Keno George)

The Company Path canal at Buxton, East Coast Demerara has been blocked and the basin drained as government begins the construction of a second pump station at Buxton.

A source familiar with the drainage situation of the village however assured Sunday Stabroek that although the canal appeared poised to breach its pregnant banks, there is no need for concern.

“This place is really dry and the water is actually very low right now but if it rains then the contractor will have to move the bags and clear the sluice. The level right now has to be maintained so that the farmers can access water and in case of a fire or any other emergency there is water. True, we can’t blow the koker like before but if a situation occurs, the contractor, who seems to have the equipment, will have to clear it,” the source said, while adding that the canal is actually not a drainage canal but a High Level Canal for the removal of overtopping from the Lamaha Canal. “The drainage canals are the sideline canals and they are pretty low right now,” the source stressed.