Residents of the Hope Lowlands area on the East Coast of Demerara can expect their water supply to be restored to a level of normalcy within a period of two months.
This was related by Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal, who met with the community on Friday, June 11; along with Guyana Water Incorporated CEO Mr. Shaik Baksh and technical officials.
The Minister explained that the reduced level of service they are experiencing is as a result of the Hope Lowlands well collapsing. The well, which was drilled in 2016 at a depth of 974ft, experienced a breach in its casing. This resulted in the well producing sand up to 175ft from ground level.
As such, GWI was forced to discontinue pumping from the well and the area is now being served by the Victoria and Enmore wells.
Minister Croal further stated that the two-month plan to improve the water pressure involves redirecting water from the Clonbrook well and this entails installing transmission mains to interconnect the distribution networks. A team is also scouring the two villages for leaks, which once repaired, will see a significant improvement in the level of service per household.
The Minister also alluded to a study that is expected to commence between GWI and the Caribbean Development Bank that could see the realization of a water treatment plant to serve Hope Lowlands and surrounding areas.
GWI's CEO, Mr. Baksh thanked the residents for their patience and assured them that the utility is working assiduously to restore their water service.
