GWI assesses works needed at Linden Treatment Plants
-investment proposals made
Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Water Incorporated, Mr. Shaik Baksh and a technical team on Tuesday, 26th January, 2021 visited Linden, Region 10 to assess the state of the Water Treatment Plants in the region.
This was done with the view to determine the upgrade and maintenance works required in 2021 at the plants. Linden has five treatment plants and the team was able to visit the Wisroc, Linden Power Company (LPC) and Amelia’s Ward facilities.
“We’ve looked at three of these treatment plants. They’re somewhat run down I must say. I must confess that not much maintenance work has been done on these plants over the years and it is my intention to rehabilitate these plants to bring it to an acceptable level of performance so that the people of Linden have a good supply of treated water,” Mr. Baksh explained.
This forms part of the utility’s efforts to provide 85% access to treated water by 2025, as outlined in its Strategic Plan 2021-2025.
“Already I’ve made proposals, investment proposals in the 2021 budget and I am hopeful that I will get the monies so that we can commence as early as possible. It’s not looking good in some of the plants. It’s deteriorated. There’s need for pumps, some of the storage tanks are leaking and these things so I’m in a hurry to try and get the money to start improving the system here,” the CEO stated.
It is his intention to return to get a first-hand look at the state of the two remaining plants- Mackenzie and West Watooka.
Meanwhile, GWI’s Region 10 Manager, Mr. Rawle Friday said that the visit by the CEO and technical team augers well for the region in 2021. He expressed hope that the necessary capital investment will be made to rehabilitate the plants.
“As a Manager, one who has to manage a utility system, it is incumbent that the necessary maintenance be done, that the necessary injection of capital financing be done. Mr. Baksh would have mentioned some of those were missing over the last few years,” he added.
According to Mr. Friday, while Lindeners enjoy some level of service, the intention is to have the best of service.
GWI’s Head of Water Quality, Dr. Deon Anderson said that the water quality at the majority of the plants is within World Health Organization (WHO) parameters. Therefore, he added, the company is working to ensure that there is continual improvement.
However, he acknowledged that some interventions are needed, such as the minimization of the use of chemicals, optimization of the filter media in some of the treatment facilities as well as the consideration of drilling a new well at the LPC Water Treatment Plant, all in keeping with the goal of producing high quality water with a low production cost.
“We have heard the feedback from the community and we’re going to ensure that the water that comes through your taps will continue to be of good quality,” Dr. Anderson stated.
The Amelia’s ward facility is served by wells while the Wisroc and LPC plants have as their source of water, the Dakoura Creek and Demerara River respectively.
Mr. Baksh emphasized that GWI will be working to convene a meeting of all stakeholders to ensure that all are on board to implement the Dakoura Creek Watershed management Plan.
The clear-water creek currently serves as a water source for some 12,000 residents and the plan seeks to sustain this water source.