Over 7,000 households to benefit from new water well at Providence

Following concerns of low water service to several communities on the East Bank of Demerara, the Ministry of Housing and Water is currently drilling a new well at Providence at a cost of $130 million.

More than 7,000 households from Providence, Farm, Herstelling, Eccles, Bagotstown and surrounding areas will benefit from the new well, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) revealed in a statement.

The new well is expected to be completed by the end of May.

This assurance was given by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, during a visit to the well site on Wednesday. He was accompanied by GWI’s Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh and a technical team.

Minister Croal noted that the realization of new housing schemes and increased occupancy of the existing ones have placed a burden on the current water supply system, resulting in a reduced level of service for some customers along the East Bank corridor.

He explained that his ministry and GWI have recognized this and are finding long-term solutions to increase capacity to meet the demand and satisfactorily serve residents.

Minister Croal in the statement said East Bank residents could expect an overall improvement in the quality and quantity of water they receive, following the interlinking of the network.

Meanwhile, Baksh added that upgrades are in the pipelines for the Eccles and Covent Garden Water Treatment Plants, which will see new wells being drilled to supply these plants and increase production. Another well is also on the cards for Diamond.

Baksh said the utility company will continue to work in close collaboration with the ministry to expand its network, even as the housing drive intensifies.

The new Providence well is highly productive and will supplement the Providence Number 1 well.

The new well was drilled to a depth of 638 ft. by S. Jagmohan Construction Services and the remaining works include the installation of a discharge line and other transmission and distribution lines, as well as the construction of the pump house, fence and other ancillary works. (Modified GWI press release)