Hobodeia Residents Gain First-Time Access to Reliable Potable Water

June 11, 2025

The riverine community of Hobodeia in Region One has reached a major milestone with the commissioning of a new water supply system, providing residents with reliable access to potable water for the first time.

Home to approximately 400 people, Hobodeia previously relied on a single hand pump, which proved insufficient during dry seasons.

The newly completed Hobodeia Water Supply System will now serve the central area of the community, with 40% of households already benefiting from direct connections and the rest accessing water through strategically placed standpipes.

The $35 million project included the drilling of a six-inch PVC well, the installation of around three kilometres of distribution lines, the construction of a photovoltaic solar-powered pumping system, a 25-by-25-foot perimeter fence, and multiple standpipes and household service connections.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal samples water from the newly commissioned Hobodeia system

The well was drilled by Fabra Enterprise, with supporting works from N&A Construction. The Hobodeia Village Council and Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) collaborated on the installation of the solar-powered infrastructure and distribution system.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, officially commissioned the system on Tuesday. He was joined by Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley, GWI’s Director of Hinterland Services Ramchand Jailal, the community Toshao, and residents. The Minister noted that previous efforts to deliver water to the area had been challenging but credited the persistence of GWI and its partners in bringing the project to fruition.

This latest investment is part of a broader initiative to improve water access in remote areas. In 2025 alone, the government is spending nearly $500 million to enhance water supply services across Region One.

Hobodeia is one of 45 communities scheduled to receive new wells this year, with 19 of those in the Mabaruma sub-region. Since 2020, access to potable water in Region One has increased from roughly 38% to nearly 90%, with expectations of reaching 95% in the coming months.

Officials also emphasized that this development supports Guyana’s goal of achieving universal access to clean water ahead of the 2030 global target set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The initiative is expected to significantly improve the health, sanitation, and quality of life of Hobodeia residents, particularly by reducing dependency on unsafe river water and providing consistent water access for households, schools, and livestock.