GWI on Saturday commissioned what it said was the first Water Supply System in Sand Creek in the South Central District of Region 9, availing first-time access to potable water in the homes of more than 1000 residents.
According to release yesterday from the Guyana Water Inc (GWI), the system, which is located approximately two and a half hours from the town of Lethem, was funded by the Government of Guyana, GWI and the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO).
It was executed by GWI in collaboration with the Sand Creek Village Council.
The release said that the system was declared open by Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, as Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles and other officials looked on.
The system is the fourth to be officially opened in one week. During the weekend of November 23 and 24, GWI commissioned the Yupukari, Kai-cumbay and Moco Moco systems.
According to the release, the new Sand Creek system comprises a well, drilled to a depth of 236 feet, a photovoltaic system equipped with 18 solar panels, individual service connections as well as standpipes at strategic locations throughout the village, five kilometres of transmission and distribution mains and two main trestles with 4 storage tanks each.
Currently, the Sand Creek system supplies 95% of the community. The remaining 5% of the community is scheduled to be connected to the system next year.
GWI has also conducted repairs to the sanitary blocks at the Sand Creek Health Centre, Primary and Secondary Schools and major upgrades to the plumbing systems. Further, 26 showers were installed for pensioners in the community with several more to be done, the release added.
Van West-Charles stated that it was in this community that GWI first utilised newly-acquired technology to ascertain the depth of a well.
He underscored the vital role that cooperation plays in development as he highlighted the support GWI received from Toshao of Sand Creek, Maxie Pugsley and his Village Council and by extension the residents.
Van West-Charles said that even before venturing into Sand Creek, a parent had informed him of the challenges faced by students in the area with regard to water. Subsequently, GWI met with the Village Council and villagers and the decision was made to construct the water supply system. Since then, GWI held three more meetings with the village so as to monitor works and ensure the project was completed in a timely manner.
He informed that water testing will be done not only in Sand Creek but all villages across the Hinterland. Sand Creek has two servicemen who will be trained to use the water quality testing kits and develop the test results within the community. Due the magnitude and complexity of their work, they will now be paid a salary rather than a stipend, as was agreed to by the Board of GWI, Van West-Charles added.
Further, a total of 12 residents from Sand Creek, Shulinab, Quiko, Kathur and Shiriri were trained in the management of small water supply systems and water quality.
PAHO/WHO Health Systems and Services Advisor, Dr. Paul Edwards noted that although PAHO is not generally a funding agency, the importance of the project prompted them to contribute.
During the commissioning ceremony GWI also handed over sporting equipment to the Sand Creek Football Club and Secondary School Football Team.
