Guyana: Private Engineer Advocates for Automated Drainage System in Georgetown

Private engineer Patrice Jacobs has raised concerns regarding the inadequacy of Georgetown’s traditional flood control mechanisms. He presented a technical proposal to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), advocating for a significant technological upgrade to automate the city’s aging drainage network. Jacobs emphasized that Georgetown can no longer depend solely on its centuries-old drainage model, which relies on gravity and manual operations.

Currently, the city’s drainage system employs localized koker (sluice) attendants who manually open and close large wooden gates in response to the tidal movements of the Demerara River. This method poses risks, as it allows no room for human error. Jacobs stated, “The gravity system as we know it has done its best while it lasted. However, as we continue to evolve as a city, we find that the drainage system is woefully inadequate. The challenge is that we continue to be a city that is below the coastal line.”

Jacobs proposed an automatic koker management system designed to enhance efficiency during critical weather events without completely removing human oversight. The automated system would incorporate water-level sensors and computerized controllers on both sides of each sluice gate, allowing for automatic operation based on real-time data. This would optimize drainage during low-tide periods and mitigate the risk of seawater backflow during human absence or delays caused by severe weather.

Jacobs explained, “We want to move to a point where we can have an automated system that would work regardless of whether the human is there or not. However, we would never attempt to propose a system which will totally emulate human intervention.” He referenced historical hydrological data indicating that Georgetown’s primary gravity drainage network was designed to manage a maximum of approximately 5.5 millimeters of rainfall per hour. In contrast, recent storms have produced rainfall rates of 17 to 24.2 millimeters per hour, overwhelming the city’s drainage infrastructure.

Jacobs also highlighted the impact of rapid urban expansion, noting that as commercial zones develop, property owners are paving over green spaces, which increases surface runoff into municipal drains. While the Mayor and City Council are considering Jacobs’ proposal, no final decision has been made regarding its implementation. Jacobs cautioned that without a shift towards automated, data-driven engineering solutions, Georgetown’s flood risks will continue to escalate alongside the country’s economic growth.

Source: hgptv.com