GWI commits to system upgrades, sustainable energy solutions for 2020

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, January 2, 2020

As Guyana enters the Decade of Development, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has devised a plan of action to enhance its services in customer satisfaction and overall efficiency.

By the first half of 2020, GWI will reduce the use of alum and lime for water treatment by 50 percent. Poly-Aluminium Chloride will be used instead and is expected to save the utility company some GY$20Million, according to Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles.

And by year-end, GWI wants to reduce its chemical use by as much as 70 percent through the use of inline water filters.

Intensified cleaning and treatment are to be done on wells to reduce the amount of dissolved iron in the water while the company begins exploratory drilling in Essequibo for water with lower iron content.

Dr. Van-West Charles says they are making strides to begin e-billing so that late payments could be eliminated and customers could access their bills electronically. A mobile application for easy-to-read bills and to make payments is also on the cards.

Meanwhile, new customer services and payment centres are to be set up in hinterland areas such as Lethem, Mabaruma, and Mahdia.

Further, the utility company is looking to introduce smart meters to boost timeliness and eliminate the need for its staff to enter customers’ premises.

The increased use of solar energy, wind energy and other forms of sustainable energy initiatives are also part of GWI’s plans for continued development in 2020.

Note: Polyaluminium chloride (PAC), manufactured in both liquid and powdered form, is used to promote the clumping of particles in water treatment.