$4B to expand water supply countrywide
Residents across the country can expect improved water supply, with the planned allocation of some $4 billion in Budget 2021 to procure equipment and improve and expand the water supply network systems across the country.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Hon. Dr. Ashni Singh says provisions have been made for the drilling of new wells along with the upgrading of photovoltaic systems, storage facilities, distribution networks and service connections across Regions One, Three, Seven, Eight and Nine. The distribution networks across Regions Eight and Nine will also be upgraded.
To address the issue of non-revenue water, the Government has earmarked $275 million to purchase and install 20,000 water meters for residential and Business areas across the country.
Additionally, Minister Singh said $200 million will be spent to expand the Sophia, Eccles, Covent Garden, Grove, Friendship and Vergenoegen water treatment plants to benefit over 50,000 residents.
The transmission mains between Church to Cummings Streets and Cemetery Road to Mandela Avenue will also be upgraded and will see over 35,000 residents benefitting. To this end, $100 million has been allocated to procure electromechanical equipment for the rehabilitation of water production facilities.
“The PPP/C Government will correct the deficiencies of the past five years and ensure that all Guyanese are provided with improved service delivery,” Minister Singh told the National Assembly Friday.
He noted that the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has prepared a new five-year strategic plan for the period 2021-2025 which is aligned with national priorities and advances the Government’s mission to provide clean, reliable and affordable water.
Emphasis will be placed on increasing access to treated water coverage to 90 percent, reduction of non-revenue water, the modernisation of the sanitisation infrastructure network, integrated water resource management and wastewater treatment.
In 2020, the GWI expended some $2.7 billion on several projects across the regions. Works commenced on the upgrading of the transmission mains at Vlissengen Road (Shelterbelt to Lamaha Street) Phase I – this initiative will result in improved quality of service to approximately 40,000 residents on completion.
To address the issue of non-revenue water, 26,000 meters were procured and preparations are in train for installation in areas such as Eccles, Friendship, Providence, Mon Repos, Beterverwagting and Diamond.
Additionally, at Bartica, the installation of a raw water intake line to the Bartica Water Treatment Plant was completed and, at Parika and Vreed-en-Hoop, fire hydrants were procured to enhance firefighting capabilities.
Under the hinterland water supply programme, residents of Mabaruma, Barabina and Wanina are benefiting from improved hours of service after the upgrading and expansion of the water supply system with the installation of electrical pumps, and servicing of the elevated storage tanks. This activity has, for the first time, provided potable water to the residents of Barimanobo.
New wells were drilled and water mains and service connections installed, benefitting over 5,000 residents of One Mile, Mora, Rincon, Kumaka, Santa Rosa, Shea, Annai, Lethem, Shulinab and Chiung Mouth.
The overall aim of these initiatives is to develop the water sector by increasing treated water coverage and access to potable water, reducing non-revenue water, and modernising sanitation facilities across the country.