Two Region Nine villages have access to water for the first time

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) commissioned water supply systems in two villages in Region Nine at the weekend.

Residents in Kaicumbay and Yupukari now have access to water in their homes for the very first time.

GWI in a statement said a 100 metre well was drilled in Kaicumbay and supplies water to 90% of the village, which is located in North Rupununi. GWI noted by 2020, the village should have 100% water access.

The project came with a photovoltaic system installed along with transmission and distribution pipelines and individual service connections.

This $13M project was funded by the Government and GWI and has doubled the percentage of the village’s population with access to potable water.

At the commissioning ceremony on Saturday, GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, told the residents that the quality of the water produced by the well is in keeping with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.

The Managing Director also noted that water quality testing will be done on a monthly basis and residents will have access to the results.

Dr Van West Charles highlighted that the water found in the hinterland and more so Region 9 is pure, as such the treatment involved is far less than that which has to be done on the coastland.

He said Kaicumbay’s water supply system provides water to the residents for human consumption and to support economic activities in the community.

He praised the residents of Kaicumbay for their outstanding participation in the project and noted that this is a good example for other communities.

Meanwhile, Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally said the government will consistently develop the hinterland regions, including providing access to potable water to an increasing number of communities.

Senior Councillor of Kaicumbay, Ovid Brown said in the previous years the water supply in the village was very poor.

Brown said the water supply was much needed in the village and noted that the many calls upon the previous administration for a water supply system fell on deaf ears.

A resident in Kaicumbay, Ernetta Marco, described having to travel long distances down a hill to fetch “dirty water” which she also drank.

The resident said the new water supply system is convenient as she can now drink and do house chores with clean water.

Meanwhile, over in Yupukari which is also in North Rupununi, Director General at the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon also commissioned a new well.

The village has a population of 350 residents, who will all benefit from potable water in their homes.

Harmon emphasized that the residents need to work along with GWI team to take care of the system.

The Yupakari well was drilled at a cost of $15 million dollars. This is the second of such in the village, which has also created employment for servicemen in the village.

It was highlighted that the servicemen will now be employed by GWI as permanent staff and receive minimum wage, instead of a stipend.