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GWI, Fire Service launch drive to repair fire hydrants
Many a building in Georgetown has gone up in flames due to the absence of working fire hydrants, but this is a situation that the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Guyana Fire Service is working to change.
There are about 150 fire hydrants situated in Georgetown, but many are non-functional. In a city with so many wooden structures, that is a recipe for disaster.
GWI Chief Executive officer Dr. Van West Charles has disclosed that his management has begun discussions with the Guyana Fire Service to remedy this situation.
Will the presence of more hydrants prevent disasters like this one?
According to Dr. Charles, the GWI has embarked on a project to locate all fire hydrants.
“We have about 150 hydrants but as we go around the city we are discovering more and more.”
He said a number of the hydrants will need new components. GWI is in contact with officials from the Brass Aluminum and Cast Iron Foundry Ltd. (BACIF) to have these made.
Aside from lack of maintenance, Dr. Van West Charles also blamed vandals for the current state of some hydrants.
“They have been stolen…so we have to replace those, even as we are preparing to map the hydrants on a GIS (Geographical Information System (GIS) system so we know exactly where they are.”
The GWI head explained that the project is a country-wide programme “To ensure that if there is a fire, our facilities can be accessed immediately to help prevent disasters.”
The Ministry of Housing will also be included in discussions, since there are several new housing schemes.
Aside from discussions about fire hydrants, GWI and the Housing Ministry will discuss the idea of having water treatment plants in communities rather than septic tanks.
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