Some 450 residents of Kato, Region Eight, now have improved access to potable water following the commissioning of a new water supply system.

The well was commissioned by Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, the Hon. Susan Rodrigues, Regional Chairman, Mr. Headley Pio, GWI’s Hinterland Service Director, Mr. Ramchand Jailal, other regional representatives and residents.

Minister Rodrigues, noted her pleasure of being able to deliver on a promise made by His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali.

“I’m pleased to be here to commission this well. From 2020 I’ve been coming and I learned about the struggles, especially with access to water and we devised a five-year plan to ensure delivery to the hinterland.”

She added that the target for Region Eight by the end of this year is to ensure 90% water coverage. The new system at Kato will now see 95% coverage in the community.

“We are about honouring our commitment of bringing development.”

Prior to the implementation of this project, the existing shallow well system was insufficient to supply water to the entire community. As such, only households and public buildings close to the old system received access. The scope of works for the Kato project included: the drilling of a new potable water well to a depth of 120 meters, installation of 5500 meters of 50mm (2″) PVC pipes & 2500 meters of 19mm (3/4″) pipes with 80 service connections, the construction of 2 reinforced concrete slab storage base, the installation of photovoltaic pumping system including submersible pump, controller, solar panels and accessories construction of a fence around the photovoltaic system.

On Monday, the Minister also commissioned a $26.5 million well at Taruka, to the benefit of more than 200 persons.

Meanwhile at Paramakatoi, in 2023 two new wells will be drilled. This will bring relief to an estimated 1100 residents, who receive water from a spring.