GWI introducing new devices to monitor fix-charged payments

─ from October 1, 2019, the fixed charge will be $500 monthly while unmetered residential consumers will pay $250 with monthly consumption charge to be $1,100

─ Pensioners will not pay monthly fixed charges

─ company recorded an increase in its revenue from $1.8 Billion in 2017 to $2Billion in 2018

─ still owed over $3Billion by its customers

DPI, Guyana, Monday, August 6, 2018

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will be introducing new devices which will be used to monitor the payments of fixed charges, which were approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

In the first half of 2018, the utility company has recorded an increase in its revenue from $1.8 Billion in 2017 to $2Billion in 2018 but is still owed over $3Billion by its customers.

Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles said despite the increase, the company is working to ensure that customers pay the fixed charge; thus, allowing the utility company to address some of the distribution networks which require attention.

“We are introducing new devices which will be used to plug access once we do not receive payments for the water on time… We have moved aggressively, to desegregate the data sets and now are at the point that we can discern customers payments in each of the zones.”

The Managing Director explained, the company has divided the country into specific zones; customers in zone one will pay within the first 31 days, those in another zone will pay between 31 and 60 days, and then there are customers who will pay later than 90 days.

Additionally, GWI is intensifying the metering of different regions, following the proven success of the Inter-American Development Bank and European Union funded metering project which is being executed in Sheet Anchor, Uitvlugt and Diamond.

According to the Managing Director, the completion of metering in Sheet Anchor has resulted in two power stations coming off.

“This shows conservation and reducing non-revenue water losses in the country. This has also proven to be important to customers since it impacts the water quality, the pressure, level of service available to customers throughout the country.”

In June, the utility company announced that from October 1, 2018, residential consumers, who have meters will be paying a fixed charge of $250 monthly with consumers in the $60 – $90 category to pay $86 per m3 (cubic metre). All other consumers will pay a monthly consumption charge of $112 per m3.

From October 1, 2019, the fixed charge will be $500 monthly while unmetered residential consumers will pay a monthly fixed charge of $250 with the monthly consumption charge to be $1,100. Pensioners will not pay monthly fixed charges.

By: Ranetta La Fleur

Image: Jameel Mohammed