Port Kaituma residents will soon benefit from the activation of yet another well, as works intensify to provide an alternative source of potable water for the community. Last month, GWI discovered the presence of mercury in the Kaituma River, which was the main source of water supply.
Managing Director Dr. Richard Van West-Charles and a team of technical officials visited the Region 1 on Wednesday, August 8 to inspect works completed thus far. During the visit, Engineers discovered water in a well at Citrus Grove, Port Kaituma that has been out of operation for a number of years. It was agreed that engineers will rehabilitate this well to supplement an existing one. This would entail a camera inspection, test pumping the well and determining an appropriately sized pump before it is connected to the distribution network.
Plans are also underway for the installation of additional storage tanks at the well site and the rehabilitation of anothertank in the community, which will increase storage capacity to serve the population. These tanks will be connected to a distribution network that will be run to residents’ premises.
The duration of this project to increase water supply and storage capacity, as well as distribute water to villagers, is approximately 2 months.
The discovery of the mercury levels in the Kaituma River was made during routine quality tests. Samples were taken and sent to the Kaizen Environmental Services Laboratory in Trinidad, where it tested positive for mercury. Mercury is a heavy metal in liquid form used during mining activities. The discovery of the substance was made in May 2018 and since then, GWI took the decision to cease pumping the water to residents. GWI is currently awaiting results from other samples that were taken from different sections of the source.
To date however, residents have been accessing water directly from the well in the interim.
GWI is continuously looking to diversify its sources of water supply in the hinterland region, which is known for its utilization of surface water as its main source. However due to climate change and other environmental challenges, the company has moved to drilling more wells in these areas, so as to ensure equal access to potable and a sustainable supply for citizens there.