Conservancy at manageable level

-equipment acquired to strengthen  dam

Georgetown, GINA, May 31, 2007.

 The East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) is currently at a manageable level, with an average of 56 gd. Water is currently being discharged through the five-door sluice at Land of Canaan.

Already Guyana has experienced approximately 40 percent of excess rainfall during the month of May.

            Today Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Ravi Naraine and Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud took the media on a tour of the EDWC where it was observed that the level at Flag Staff is currently about 57 gd while at Land-of-Canaan it is about 54 gd.

            Minister Persaud noted that a month prior to the rainfall season and based on engineers’ advice, the level at the EDWC was reduced to about 52 gd which allowed for adequate capacity to deal with the excess rainfall that was forecast.

            He pointed out that the administration was criticized for taking such action, which has proven very successful as part of preparatory measures and which has avoided any serious complications at the conservancy. Despite the volume of rainfall experienced there was no overtopping. Clay bags that were prepared earlier have been placed to bolster the dam at low locations.

Government is focused on carrying out major works to the EDWC dam that will enhance its capacity for storage especially during heavy rainfall periods and has purchased two long-boom excavators valued approximately $90M. The purchase of these machines was approved by Parliament late last year. An additional $28M has been spent on the fabrication of pontoons that will be used to transport the excavators.

            Minister Persaud, during a presentation of one of the machines to the EDWC management, said this is a significant intervention by the administration since the excavators will be used to strengthen the integrity of the dam and carry out other emergency works. This is the first time that excavators will be dedicated to the EDWC. 

             He noted that the initiative is one of many which Government is committed to carrying out at the EDWC. At present, considerations are being given to the establishment of an additional outlet for possible discharge into the Demerara River or the Atlantic Ocean. Several proposals that were prepared by engineers are currently being explored. This project is estimated cost as much US$5M.

            In addition, it is expected that negotiations will be finalised with the World Bank for a US$3.8M grant that will be used to fund various studies, surveys and modelling to identify possible mechanisms to expand storage capacity of the conservancy.

            Efforts are also being placed on re-opening additional waterways draining into the main canals that flow to the Kofi, Cunia and Land-of-Canaan outlets. This will create more drainage capacity for discharge into the Demerara River.

            Rainfall experienced over the past month has recorded between 30 to 40 inches of excess rainfall which was forecast by the Hydrometeorological Service. Although several areas, especially low-lying communities were affected by flooding, the drainage and irrigation system responded well.

            Further efforts are being made to enhance the D&I capacity and there are currently 19 excavators working countrywide.

            In addition, four excavators that were procured under the Rice Competitiveness Project are available as spare capacity to respond should the need arise for emergency D&I works. One of the machines has been deployed to Region Two.

On May 30, two contracts worth approximately $113M were awarded for the purchase of two additional mobile pumps and for the construction of an intake structure an Enmore along the EDWC.
            These are all part of Government’s programme to enhance the national drainage and irrigation system to deal with heavy rainfall.