After decades Kamarang gets water network
For more than two decades, the residents of Kamarang in Region Seven have been without access to potable water.
According to Toshao of Kamarang/Warwatta, Lemmel Thomas, following the collapse of a well, residents had to source water from the Kamarang River and store it when it rains. However, overtime, the river became an unreliable source of water for domestic purposes as a result of contamination due to mining activities.
On Wednesday, the government commissioned a new $45 million water system which will supply water for the first time to the hospital, schools, Regional Democratic Office and other public buildings. Some 700 residents will also benefit from water in their homes.
Apart from the drilling of the 150 metres water well, the project also entailed the installation of over 3000 meters of 50mm pipelines for the distribution network and more than 2,400 meters of 19mm lines for service connections – including 25 individual connections to public buildings and 35 stand pipes.
The system also included a well pump, photovoltaic system, construction of elevated storage and installation of four, 450-gallon storage tanks.
During the simple commission ceremony on Wednesday, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal said another Well will soon be drilled in another village, Jawalla.
He explained that the completion of that system, as well as the one in Kamarang, will result in a seventy percent potable water coverage for the region.
Meanwhile, plans are in the pipeline for a new well in Warawatta in 2022.
Minister Croal reiterated the government’s commitment to provide every community in Guyana with potable water access, while pointing out that the aim is to achieve this within its first term in office.
Minister Croal further charged the residents to practice water conservation, noting that the responsibility on residents in the Hinterland is greater than those on the Coast since much investment is made to execute works and supply these communities.
Meanwhile, GWI’s Hinterland Services Manager, Ramchand Jailal noted that the realization of this well is groundbreaking since there were multiple failed attempts to drill in Kamarang over the past years. This, he said, was mainly due to rock formation underground, preventing drilling rigs from accessing water.
Jailal told the residents that the water supply system is now the property of the community and therefore it is their duty to take good care of it.
Additionally, he explained that GWI has trained Community Service Officers to operate and maintain the system, as well as provide weekly reports to the utility. (Modified press release from GWI)