‘On premises’ water access for De Willem Housing Scheme

Feb 18, 2021 News

– improved water quality in the pipeline for Golden Grove

Minister Susan Rodrigues interacting with De Willem residents.

A Golden Grove resident gets Minister Rodrigues’ undivided attention.

Kaieteur News – New home owners residing at De Willem Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) can comfortably access water on their premises, while prospective occupants can consider building their homes, now that a water distribution system is in place.
The realisation of this new water network, according to information released by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), comes following an intervention by Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, who visited the area on Tuesday upon the invitation of residents.
Prior to her visit, Minister Rodrigues received complaints from members of the community regarding the lack of infrastructure to make it liveable. During her meeting with them, the Minister explained that the water system that was recently installed is just a temporary solution.
She noted that her Ministry is on a quest to ensure new housing schemes are developed with the basic amenities such as water and given that this scheme has been in existence for over five years, such services should have already been in place.
As part of plans to provide immediate relief, Minister Rodrigues informed residents that the provision of water supply to the community, which consists of more than 300 lots, was realised through the connection of a six-inch transmission pipeline to the De Willem water distribution network, which is supplied by the Uitvlugt Water Treatment Plant. This is a short-term mechanism that would see residents receiving water at the stand pipe level on their premises.
The Ministry, in collaboration with the GWI, is expected to undertake a permanent solution, which entails a direct connection to the Uitvlugt Water Treatment Plant, using an eight-inch transmission line. This would allow a significant improvement in the level of service to each household.
In order to benefit from the water supply, residents are required to apply for their individual service connections, upon which time the installation will occur.
The Minister also vowed that, through the CH&PA, efforts will be made to ensure there is electricity supply in the area.
Residents, in thanking the Minister, noted that it is a great relief, particularly for those who have already moved into their new homes.
Meanwhile, the Minister on Tuesday too returned to the community of Golden Grove on the East Coast of Demerara to meet with residents. While there, she informed them of the works that have commenced to improve their water service.
On Saturday last, the Minister attended an outreach with President Irfaan Ali during which concerns relating to water quality were raised.
Minister Rodrigues had explained that the GWI is conducting assessments to address the quality of service, which they are receiving. The community is supplied with a 24-hour water service but there is a high concentration of iron. To tackle this issue immediately, GWI will be flushing the pipelines. Minister Rodrigues noted that she would see to it that a schedule is implemented to ensure flushing is done regularly. Plans are also in train to repair leaks along the network, which would help to prevent contamination and further improve water quality.
A long-term solution, however, is to install in-line filters to treat the water. The Housing and Water Minister pointed out that 52 percent of Guyana is currently receiving access to treated water and government is committed to providing treated water for at least 90 percent of the population by the end of its current term in office.

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