GWI completes over 20 projects in four months
– increased access to potable water
– hundreds on the coast, hinterland benefit
The Ministry of Housing and Water’s robust approach to increasing access to potable water has seen hundreds of Guyanese across several communities in Regions One to Nine now benefiting.
Within four months of coming into office, the Government, through the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) upgraded water distribution networks.
“We have a commitment that right across our country, whether in the coastland or in the hinterland, we have a duty to ensure that we bring safe water delivery to your communities and if you’re in clusters, to your homes,” Minister Hon. Collin Croal said.
Five hundred residents in Canal Number One Polder, Region Three, were among the first to benefit from the 2020 work programme. They now have access to quality water for the first time in decades.
At Lust-en-Rust, Region Three, residents benefited from water for the first time after the GWI supplemented 700,000 gallons of water daily to a nearby well, increasing it from 2.1 million gallons to 2.8 gallons per day.
Residents of Whitewater, Region One; Esau and Jacob, Region Five; Prospect New Housing Scheme, Region Four; Red Village and Ondeerneeming, Region Two and Mahdia, Region Eight are also now benefitting from potable water for the first time.
Bridging the gap
Additionally, the Government recently procured a $120 million well drilling rig for the hinterland regions. The rig is currently in Shulinab, Region Nine, in keeping with the Government’s overall plan to ensure residents in far-flung regions benefit from the same services as those on the coast.
“It also helps us to map out the entire region and we can do it in a structured and systemic way of having our needs assessment to see where wells are required and send the rig in, have it done quickly, under two weeks to do the actual drilling, then move on to another community while we do the pipe-laying exercise,” Minister Croal said while commissioning the rig.
The rig was also used to expand the catchment area in Culvert City, Lethem, Region Nine.
Also, in the hinterland, water supply was improved in Bartica and the Four Miles Housing Scheme, Region Seven, as well as at Wowetta, Aranaputa and Annai in Region Nine.
Water treatment
So far, the PPP/C Government is on track to fulfilling a commitment made on page 37 of its campaign manifesto, related to expanding water treatment across the country.
Treatment capacity at the Diamond Water Treatment Plant, East Bank Demerara is being boosted with a new $48 million well. The plant serves over 30,000 residents of the Diamond Housing Scheme, Little Diamond, Prospect, Covent Garden, Farm and Kaneville.
The Eccles Water Treatment plant was also upgraded to serve residents of Eccles, Bagotstown, Republic Park, Nandy Park, Republic Gardens and Windsor Estate. Hundreds of residents from New Amsterdam to Vryheid in Region Six were also able to access potable water in October.
Notably, GWI has already implemented Government’s policy to reinstate water subsidies for pensioners, in keeping with provisions made in the Emergency Budget.
In the works
An action plan is also in motion to provide new water service connections for over 1,500 households on the East Bank who applied for service since 2017.
Additionally, works are being completed on new wells in El Paso and Chuing Mouth, Region Eight. A new GWI Strategic Plan for 2021-2025 has been completed for submission to the Board of Directors. The company is also sourcing funding for a $100 million water treatment programme in 2021. This will bring water treatment on the coastland from about 52 per cent to 90 per cent.