In a significant step towards enhancing environmental sustainability and providing clean drinking water, Recover Guyana, in collaboration with the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI) and the Education Ministry, has officially launched a state-of-the-art water purification system at West Demerara Secondary School. This initiative aims to not only supply safe and clean water to students, teachers, and visitors but also serve as a valuable educational tool for the school’s science department.
The system utilizes advanced technologies such as reverse osmosis and ultraviolet filtration, offering students practical insights into scientific concepts covered in their curriculum, particularly for Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) students. Additionally, the school’s environmental club will be responsible for overseeing aspects of the system’s operations, fostering technical skills, environmental leadership, and a sense of ownership among students.
This project is expected to yield substantial benefits, including significant cost savings for the school. By eliminating the need for bottled water, the school anticipates saving approximately $55,000 per week, amounting to over $2.8 million annually. Moreover, the initiative will reduce plastic waste by more than 35,000 bottles per year, aligning with Guyana’s national goals under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on Climate Action.
The system’s innovative design includes automatic backwashing and flushing mechanisms, ensuring minimal manual maintenance and maximizing hygiene. It also features a closed-loop water recycling mechanism, capturing excess water and treating it again to minimize waste and enhance efficiency.
The long-term vision is to replicate this system in other public secondary schools across Guyana by 2030, including special-needs educational institutions and those in hinterland and indigenous communities. This ambitious plan aims to create a healthier, more informed, and empowered generation of young people.
