Plegt Anker, which relies heavily on agriculture for its livelihood, has long faced challenges with its water supply. Access to clean and reliable water is essential for both domestic use and agricultural activities. However, the community’s existing well has deteriorated over time, limiting its ability to meet the water needs of its residents.
In response to these challenges, GWI has announced plans to refurbish the well and, for the first time, install house connections throughout the community. This initiative aims to provide the residents of Plegt Anker with a stable, continuous water supply, improving their overall quality of life.
One of the key challenges in Guyana’s water supply is the high iron content in its potable water. This results in a rusty, reddish-brown color that often stains dishes and clothing, particularly whites. The iron is typically caused by old plumbing infrastructure or naturally occurring high iron levels in the water.
Under the previous leadership of Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, GWI tackled this issue by investing in advanced filtration systems. These systems use oxidation methods, such as chlorine or potassium permanganate, to convert dissolved iron into solid particles, which can then be filtered out using specialised media like manganese greensand.