GWI continues to monitor water in flood-affected communities

Jan 19, 2009 News

– as ‘boil order’ remains in effect

The ‘boil order’ issued to communities affected by flood waters still stands, even as technical officials of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) continue to monitor the system to rule out any suspicion of contamination.
According to Public Relations Officer Rawle Aaron, the ‘boil order’ which was issued a few weeks ago was intended to be a precautionary measure, rather than to alarm residents. He said that the move was, however, necessary, due to the fact that some of GWI’s mains and well stations were surrounded with water.
As a result, Aaron said, “We have advised residents in flooded areas to ensure that they boil their water for three to ten minutes.”

GWI PRO, Rawle Aaron

However, according to Aaron, there is an ongoing debate as it relates to how long the requisite boiling time is for water.
He pointed out, though, that GWI’s position is that once the water comes to a boil, it should be safe for human consumption.
“We are saying to make sure that the water boils, regardless of the medium being used. Once it boils it is considered wholesome,” Aaron noted.
He emphasised that it is important that residents adhere to the ‘boil order,’ since there could very well be seepage in some mains. This problem, he disclosed, mostly occurs at the point of service connection, that is, the point where the GWI main is connected to a customer’s home.
The water company has been utilising ‘poly-hoses,’ made from a polyurethane material, for use in the service connection.
However, Aaron acknowledged that this material has proven inadequate.
For this reason, he said, GWI has engaged a service connection upgrade programme countrywide.
However, he noted that GWI has concerns about the way drainage works are undertaken by the Neighbourhood and Regional Democratic Councils.
“When they do clearing and excavation works for drainage, they would normally break our mains. They are supposed to contact us first…I think it was at Hope, on the East Coast of Demerara, that a main was broken by one of the NDC excavators and it was compromised.”
“We went out and got it fixed, but then we were losing water and the possibility existed that the water had been contaminated.”
As such, Aaron disclosed, efforts are being made to collaborate with such entities, as well as the Housing Ministry, so that a line of communication can be established.
With the anticipated close relations, Aaron said, once GWI plans to undertake upgrades in any area, the NDCs and RDCs will be informed and will in turn advise GWI when excavations are scheduled to be carried out.
But in order to ensure that the problem of seepage is considerably reduced, the water company has been pumping water 24 hours a day to prevent the commodity from being compromised, Aaron assured.