Georgetown: Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has heighted activities to resolve the water supply challenges experienced by residents of Linden.
Chief Executive, GWI, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles convened a meeting recently with Regional Chairman, Renis Morian to provide an update on the remedial works being implemented by GWI to improve the level of access and quality of water provided to customers of Linden.
Present at the meeting were IMC Chairman Orin Gordon, representatives of the Regional Democratic Council, Sandra Adams, Elymuwell Barkoye and Stanley Collins as well as members of the business community and other stakeholders.
Senior Engineer and Head of Technical Services, GWI, Dwayne Shako presented an update on the programme to correct the design flaws found in the filtration system utilized by the new water treatment facilities at Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc. The new facilities form part of the Government of Guyana and Inter-American Development Bank funded Linden Water Supply and Rehabilitation Programme (LWSRP).
The GWI Engineer explained that following a review by an IDB Consultant, it was determined that the process design of the facilities was flawed including the use of incorrect filter media. ‘Filter media is vital to the ability of the treatment plant to provide safe, potable water,’ stated Shako, ‘hence GWI will be replacing the filter media and installing a geotextile membrane which will allow both facilities to function at full capacity and increase the amount of water available for customers of Wisroc and Amelia’s Ward’. He indicated that the company would be working in the swiftest manner possible to complete this task by the end of February 2016.
To further improve the performance of the facilities at Wisroc and Amelia’s Ward, GWI will be installing another hypochlorite tank in January 2016 which will aid in the purification process. Other enhancements include the reconfiguration of piping systems and the installation of a variable speed device for a more efficient treatment process. In addition, the new facilities will work in conjunction with the older water treatment plants including the LPC Plant and the facilities at West Watooka and McKenzie.
Chief Executive, Dr. Van West-Charles, indicated that the company will also be improving access to water through the reduction of leaks. ‘If we can reduce the amount of water wasted via leaks and breakages in the distribution system, more water will be available for customers. I’ve personally spare headed the implementation of a Leak Detection Team that will be working throughout Linden to indentify leaks and conduct repairs on the spot’.
The Chief Executive further stated that the names and photographs of all the GWI employees working within the newly formed Leak Detection Unit will be published since these employees will be working after 18:00hours (6:00PM) on particular days. ‘GWI will ensure that the activities of the Leak Detection Team are consistently publicised,’ stated Dr. Van West-Charles, ‘customers will be fully aware of all GWI activities in their communities’.
The Chief Executive concluded, ‘with the changes being made to the process design of the facilities at Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc and the work being done by the Leak Detection Team, improved access to safe water and enhanced quality for GWI customers throughout Linden will become a reality’.
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