East Bank residents to get relief by month end with new Providence Well

An estimated 7,000 households from Providence, Farm, Herstelling, Eccles, Bagotsown and surrounding areas on the East Bank of Demerara will benefit directly and indirectly from a newly drilled well in Providence; by the end of May.

This was the disclosure given by Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, following a visit to the well site on Wednesday, May 4; where works are ongoing. Croal was accompanied by Guyana Water Incorporated Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh and a technical team. Minister Croal disclosed that he has taken note of the concerns raised regarding low level of service in some of the above mentioned areas recently and said that once completed, the new facility will bring great relief to residents.

He revealed that the well was drilled to a depth of 638 ft. by S. Jagmohan Construction Services and remaining works include the installation of a discharge line and other transmission and distribution lines, as well as construction of the pump house, fence and other ancillary works. Croal noted that from all indications, works should be completed by the end of this month. He said 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.

The housing and water minister 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 disclosed that within another year, East Bank Demerara residents could expect overall improvement in the quality and quantity of water they receive, following the interlinking of the network.

As such, the GWI CEO noted 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 will continue to work in close collaboration with the Ministry in an effort to expand its network, even as the housing drive intensifies.

Baksh stressed that the new Providence well is highly productive and will supplement the Providence Number 1 well, which he said is not sufficient on its own for a growing population. He revealed that the Providence well station is being constructed at a sum of GYD$130 M.