The Groundwater Resources Section was reactivated in 2017 and continues to expand and improve its work in managing the groundwater resources of Guyana. The responsibility of the Department to manage water resources can be found in the Water and Sewerage Act (2002).
The Mission
To ensure the sustainable management of the groundwater resources of Guyana.
The main responsibilities of the Groundwater Section include:
- Establishing and maintaining a national groundwater monitoring network to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of groundwater resources;
- Licensing and registering of well development and water use activities across the country to ensure a groundwater database of information and authorizations is maintained;
- Monitoring of the availability, use and quality of groundwater resources;
- Collecting, analyzing, archiving, making available and reporting of all national groundwater data in support of national development and decision-making;
- Promoting research and public awareness on the importance of groundwater resources and impacts on water use in Guyana;
- Cooperating with public and private stakeholders to enhance conservation and sustainable use of groundwater resources.
Requirements for the Licensing of New Wells and Registration of Existing Wells
Before the establishment of any new well (abstraction, testing or monitoring), an application for a permit to drill is required and must be submitted. Forms B and C along with additional information are required. A permit is also required in order to alter an existing well. This process requires the submission of the following documents:
Procedures for obtaining Permits for Well Drilling.
- Form C completed in duplicate.
- Two copies of the site map (1:25,000 scale), highlighting the proposed drilling location and surrounding water resources
- Proof of ownership or rights to access property in which the water source is located
- Copy of Environmental Permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Letter from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) stating inability to meet water requirement
Procedure for License to abstract and use water.
- Form B completed in duplicate.
- Two copies of the site map (1:25,000 scale)
- Proof of ownership or rights to access property in which the water source is located
- Copy of Environmental Permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Copy of Permit Application or Permit to construct well (if applicable).
- Copy of Mining or Quarry License (if applicable).
PS: The Department also requests a no-objection from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to confirm its inability to meet the water requirement for the proposed activity as the nation’s public supplier.
Upon completion of well drilling and establishment of the well for water use, the final well design, geophysical and water quality details of the completed well should be submitted to the Department. This can be submitted to the Section using Form E, along with any additional information.
Procedures for Renewal of license to abstract and use water.
- Form D completed in duplicate,
- Outstanding Water Quality Data
- Outstanding Abstraction Data
Note:
- For the alteration of an existing well, a request should be made to the Department directly and further details including required information would be requested.
- Requesting a higher abstraction rate is considered a new application. Application for a renewal should be submitted no later than three (3) months of expiration date of the permit or it will be treated as a new application. Also in spite of the ongoing pandemic situation all procedures are as per normal
Procedures for Registering an Existing Well.
- Form A completed in duplicate
- Two copies of the site map (1:25,000 scale)
- Any other information required by the Service regarding the well
OR
N.B:
All forms can be obtained from our website: http://hydromet.gov.gy or from our Office at 18 Brickdam Stabroek, Georgetown. The Section can also be contacted at: hydromet.groundwater@gmail.com
All Forms and PDFs
Registration of Existing Well
(Online)
Form A
Registration of Existing Well
(PDF)
