The quality of life for some 160 residents of Moco Moco, Central Rupununi, Region Nine, has improved with the drilling of a new well, installation of distribution and transmission pipelines and 36 individual service connections.
According to a Guyana Water Inc (GWI) release, the project was funded by the Government of Guyana and GWI to the tune of $22 million and executed by in-house GWI staff with assistance from the community.
The new water supply system was commissioned on Sunday, at the Moco Moco Primary School. GWI’s Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles and Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, along with hundreds of residents gathered to witness the ceremony in the community, which is located approximately 30 minutes from Lethem.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Dr Richard Van West-Charles disclosed that a minimum of 14 wells have so far been drilled in Region Nine as GWI continues its efforts to ensure that all Guyanese have access to potable water.
He explained that about 5 months ago, he led a GWI team into the Moco Moco community to examine their water situation. Four community meetings were subsequently hosted and a decision was made to drill another well in the community.
The community previously had a windmill-driven water supply system which included a shallow hand-dug well and the water supply proved to be a challenge during the dry season. Further, residents had to walk long distances to manually retrieve water from the well, which was also prone to contamination.
Fast forward to 5 months later, the community now has a new water supply system which allows them to conveniently access water that is fit for human consumption. Dr Van West-Charles told the residents that the water quality is in keeping with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. He assured that water quality testing will be done monthly in the community and the results provided to the residents. Further, the windmill-driven system previously used will be utilised as a backup and disinfection will be done to allow residents to consume that water.
GWI will also continue to install individual service connections in the community, allowing even more residents to gain water access in their homes.
The Managing Director pointed out that residents can now have their own flush toilets and showers. There are 16 pensioners in the community and GWI will be gifting those persons with showers for Christmas.
Dr Van West-Charles noted that the new system will also support the economic development of the community, making particular reference to agricultural activities. There are two servicemen in the community who will be trained to maintain the water supply system.
He encouraged the community to care the system even as he expressed gratitude to the community’s Toshao, James George for his assistance and guidance.
