Monkey Mountain gets $32.7M Commissioned Water System

An estimated 800 residents in the remote community of Monkey Mountain, Potaro – Sipuruni (Region Eight) are assured of improved water supply. Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, on Monday, commissioned the $32.7M Water Supply Improvement Project in the village.

“This signals the fulfillment of our People’s Progressive Party/Civic government to develop all communities. When we speak of development, we also refer to your social upliftment and so the delivery of water to villages such as yours is a necessity,” Croal told residents The minister noted that the new well was drilled through rocks at a depth of 100 meters in central Monkey Mountain, where the schools and health centre operate. He said that it now provides access to 95 percent of residents.

Croal pointed out that previously, the community utilized an existing gravity-fed system, which is deteriorated and could not supply adequate water. This system, he said supplied water to the central area, while Section Two, which is approximately 2 kilometers away, has a separate system that pumps water from a nearby creek. He disclosed that expansion of the new system is currently being explored. “This system belongs to all of you, it is important to the village and as such I ask that you care for it as best as you can,” he appealed to the residents.

He disclosed that the Community Service Officers will also be trained in water system operation and maintenance to assist in management of the project. Director of Hinterland Services at the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Ramchand Jailal, explained that the new well is equipped with a photovoltaic pumping system, with a submersible pump, controller, solar panels and accessories.

Jailal revealed that the project was completed by R. Kissoon Contracting Services. He said that other works included installation of 3000 meters of 50mm (2″) polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes & 1000 meters of 19mm (3/4″) pipes with 80 service connections. A reinforced concrete base was also constructed to accommodate four No. 450-gallon storage tanks and galvanized chain-link fence around the well and photovoltaic system.

It was noted that overall, Region Eight is expected to benefit from major investment in the water sector, as Croal stressed that the government aims to increase coverage from 60 percent to 80 percent over the next few years. Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, Headley Pio, Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Louis Kilkenny and representative of the contracting service, Rudranauth Roopdeo all were at the commissioning.