Residents of Diamond, East Bank Demerara and surrounding areas, who have been enduring a disruption in their water service for several weeks, received relief over the weekend following remedial works to the defective well that serves the communities.

The Guyana Water Inc. confirmed on Monday that the well was serviceable once again and residents were receiving potable water through their taps even as the utility company seeks long term solutions to the water woes of the expanding Diamond population.

The water company said the problem in the 5-year-old- well was identified and a temporary fix was applied.

A replacement of the old carbon steel casing was done with re-enforced PVC pipes.

GWI Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Richard Van West Charles said contracting firm NAB, carried out the works. The company was contracted over four months ago to do the remedial works but had failed to complete the work up to the time of complete shut down of the well.

The CEO said since the company was still in the liability period, GWI only paid part of the sum required to carry out the work.

GWI will be going to tender within the next week as it looks to build a completely new well for the community.

The process of tender and construction should be completed before the end of the year.

Dr. Van West Charles said there is no way one well can effectively serve the community. Just like the current well, the new one is expected to last for 20 – 25 years and will be built with stainless steel.

The current well, the CEO explained, became defective because of the inferior materials used in its construction. In total, GWI is hoping to have three well service the community at a cost of $140 million each.

The third well will be funded by the Inter American Development Bank (IDB).

Meanwhile, GWI said it is looking to improve water quality throughout the country and will be spending some $200 million to fix 16 wells across the country. Additional filters are also being installed at several wells to improve the water quality and reduce redness in the water caused by corrosion.