Residents of the village of Wakapoa in the lower Pomeroon River in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) now have access to safe water following the installation of Slow Sand Filters by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) at strategic locations in the village.
The village has been experiencing harsh dry weather over the past 2 months, which had resulted in a shortage of water. GWI’s team assessed the situation and on Wednesday, 4th April 2018, installed six (6) of the Slow Sand Filters. Water is being pumped from the Wakapoa Creek into Water Tanks and then placed into drums in which the Slow Sand Filters have been installed. Residents then access the clean water from taps which lead from those drums.
GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles and a team on Thursday, 5th April, 2018 visited the village and explained this system to the residents, who have been urged to ensure that the filters are never dry, the receptacles are properly covered and utilise the water wisely.
Dr. Van West-Charles told the residents that the intervention by GWI is in keeping with its efforts to ensure equal access to safe water by all Guyanese. According to him, special emphasis has been placed on ensuring that the schools, health center and teachers dormitory in the Region 2 village have access to the safe water.
Within the coming week, GWI will be installing more of the Slow Sand filters to ensure that all of the residents in that village have access to safe water which is critical for human health. Additionally, next week, the utility company will be installing Ultraviolet Sterilisers which will remove any bacteria which may be in the water. GWI will be testing the water on a monthly basis and providing the results to the Wakapoa Village council as well as the Health Center.
The residents have been informed that GWI’s team will be visiting the area to teach them how to establish such a system for their individual homes. Also, Jerrycans, which function as portable water filters, were handed over to the village council for use in far flung homes.
Additionally, Dr. Van West-Charles pointed out that the village has an existing reservoir with a 9000 gallon capacity, which GWI will be working along with residents to clean and disinfect by the end of April, 2018. This reservoir will be used to store safe water which will be for use by all residents.
The utility’s engineers will also be examining the possibility of establishing a catchment area where water can be stored then moved into the filtration system.
Meanwhile, Wakapoa Village Councillor, Ms. Marcie Fredericks was one of the residents who expressed pleasure about the intervention by GWI. She was particularly pleased that the children in the community now have access to safe water.
Another resident, Mr. Kenroy Richards, who is currently accessing water from a spring, was especially delighted by the fact that GWI will be teaching the residents to establish slow sand filtration systems for their homes.