$40M well drilled at Diamond

Approximately $40 million was spent on the development of a new well at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) in order to supplement water supply owing to the growing population in that community.

The construction of a water treatment plant is also in the pipelines for the Diamond community, according to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

The well, which is the first of three to be drilled by Dutch Firm, De Ruiter Groundwatertechneik in Guyana, was drilled at a depth 201 meters. With this depth, the well is producing 200-meter cubes of water per hour (200m3/hr), which is equivalent to approximately 100,450-gallon black tanks of water per hour.

GWI Managing Director Dr Richard Van West- Charles noted that the well’s production is above what he expected. “You can see for yourselves that we’ve got clear water and good quality and as soon as they are finished with this final developmental process, our engineers would prepare to run the transmission lines to connect to the Diamond community.”

GWI said the transmission lines are expected to take place by the end of November 2017.

Dr Van West-Charles noted too that he is extremely pleased with the results, given that the Diamond project is the Dutch company’s first attempt on Guyana’s soil.

De Ruiter Groundwatertechneik is utilizing a new method of drilling known as reverse circulation. This method is carried out by using compressed air, which also acts as the medium bringing the drill cuttings (soil formation), up to the surface. Additionally, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) casings are being used, as opposed to steel casings, giving the well an estimated lifespan of 30 years.

GWI has allowed its engineers and local contractors to be exposed to the new methodology, as part of the company’s quest to create well fields for the sustainability of water for the citizenry of Guyana. Plans are also afoot for the purchase of the company’s own drilling rig.

The Dutch drilling company will be moving to Sparendaam then Sophia, for the drilling of wells there. Earlier this year, a contract was signed between GWI and De Ruiter Groundwatertechneik, to the tune of € 552,855 for the drilling of wells at the three locations.