550 Capoey residents to benefit from new $11M water supply system
GWI is pressing ahead with its drive to provide potable water to all communities across the country and the latest beneficiary of its programme is Capoey, in Region Two.
According to a GWI release yesterday, 550 Capoey residents will no longer be relying on the lake or rainwater harvesting to access water. Potable water will now be accessible through the $11M Capoey Water Supply System, which was commissioned by Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, on Tuesday.
Prime Ministerial Representative, Arnold Adams; Hinterland Services Director at the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Ramchand Jailal, and team were also present at the commissioning ceremony.
In her remarks, Minister Rodrigues stated that the water supply system is in keeping with the government’s commitment to transforming the lives of Guyanese through access to essential services.
“All of our citizens regardless of your race, your religion, your geographical location, you [must] have access to services and access to infrastructure that will improve your lives.”
Capoey is divided into two sections, with one section already receiving water. The new Capoey Water Supply System was drilled by GWI’s in-house drilling team to a depth of 42 metres using a newly acquired PAT 421 drilling rig. The 550 residents now benefitting from the new water system represent 96 per cent of Capoey’s population.
The release also informed that government has drilled 75 wells in three years, taking potable water supply in the hinterland from 46% to 86% by the end of 2023. Through the 2024 Budget, another 40 wells will be drilled in Amerindian communities, as the government aims to achieve 100% access for the hinterland by 2025. Communities in Region Two set to benefit from enhanced water supply include Friendship, Mashabo, St Denny’s/ Tapakuma Village, St Monica, Friendship, Dredge Creek, Baracaro, Bethany and Wakapao.
Further, a new treatment plant is currently under construction at Onderneeming, which will serve residents from Supenaam to Taymouth Manor.
Another plant is also expected to be developed at Maria’s Delight to serve Charity to Queenstown residents to help push treated water coverage.
Meanwhile, Jailal highlighted the employment opportunities the project generated for local residents and emphasised the need for community responsibility in maintaining the facility. To this end, GWI has collaborated with the Capoey Village Council and residents towards activating the new well, with the supply and installation of 400 lengths of 50mm, and 100 lengths of 19mm PVC pipelines from the well to the storage tanks and along the distribution network. Also standpipes, solar panels, a submersible pump and well discharge were installed, along with the construction of a perimeter fence and a reinforced concrete base to support four 1,000-gallon water tanks.
The new well is expected to serve the community for several decades.
In addition, GWI disclosed plans to train two Community Service Officers (CSOs) to assist in the upkeep of the new water supply system.