‘Access to sufficient, potable water during COVID-19 pandemic’ –  Dr. Van West-Charles assures

DPI, Guyana, Friday, May 29, 2020

Managing Director of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Dr. Richard Van West-Charles has assured that every citizen will receive an adequate supply of water in their community since the resource is on a higher demand during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“We want to ensure that water is available 24/7,” Dr. Van West-Charles disclosed while appearing on 104. 1 Guyana Lite FM on Friday afternoon.

The Managing Director said a proposal was made following an analysis conducted in 126 squatting communities without easy access to water. In the meantime, the utility company is seeking to provide access by putting a standpipe in those areas identified.

The Managing Director also disclosed that GWI regularly tests the water it provides to the citizenry and ensures that there are sufficient quantities of chemicals to facilitate water treatment.

He reported that stocks are in place to complete this process unto the end of August and approval has already been granted to boost the water treatment supplies to run until the end of 2020.

In areas where there is slightly higher iron content, GWI is using another suitable chemical and has been flushing out the pipelines.

Dr. Van West-Charles disclosed that in Vergenoegen, the company is completing works regarding water aerators and the iron content in the community has depleted. He added Pouderoyen is now receiving a 24 hours service; while GWI is looking to improve the central plant in the Capital City.

Additionally, in the Upper Demerara-Berbice district, GWI is preparing to connect Block 22, Hill Top and Wisrock to receive a 24-hour service.

According to Dr. Van West-Charles, Bartica has moved from an intermittent supply service ─ from every other day ─ to 16 hours per day, “and very soon with some additional resources we are going to be moving to 24/7.”

While noting that there are not sufficient generators to provide energy should there be a power outage, Dr. Van West-Charles said a proposal was made to the government for the supply of additional generators to assist in this regard.

However, he informed that the water plants at Sheet Anchor, Diamond, and Uitvlugt, “all have a new generating support system and Georgetown is well established.”