Govt. spent $463M to improve access to potable water
DPI, GUYANA, Friday, August 04, 2017
During the first half of 2017, the Government expended $463Million of the budgeted $2.8Billion towards ensuring all citizens of Guyana benefit from improved access to potable water. This is according to the Mid-year Report produced by the Ministry of Finance.
The Report stated that the work on the construction of a well at Diamond, East Bank, Demerara commenced in the first half and is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. It also indicates that construction of wells at Westminster, Pouderoyen, and Vergenoegen on the Demerara West Bank, are expected to commence in the second half of the year.
The hinterland regions will also benefit from improved access to water before year-end, with works on new water systems already underway in Matthew’s Ridge, Yarakita, and Tassarene while the installation of a water supply system at Chenapou is expected to commence and be completed in the second half of the year.
The Report stated that assessments of existing infrastructure are also being conducted and will guide the decision to upgrade or construct a new well at New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six.
With the installation of filters and aerators at the New Amsterdam Water Treatment Plant, the quality of water supplied is expected to improve before year-end. These works are expected to be completed by the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Additionally, improvements to quality assurance systems have started with the construction of a mini-laboratory at the Eccles Water Treatment Plant which is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter.
The Government is also planning to transition to smart metering to enhance security and reporting under the Non-Revenue Water Reduction Programme. This initiative will be facilitated through the installation of an advanced and improved Customer Management Information and Billing Software.
The metering initiative resulted in 10,000 new meters being installed in the first half of the year and this is expected to be doubled by year-end.
By: Neola Damon