GWI purchasing generators
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRBaAr5pNi4″ width=”100%” height=”350″]
– will ensure stable water supplies during power outages
– Loggers placed at water supply systems to monitor water pressure
DPI, Guyana, Friday, August 3, 2018
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is working to acquire more generators in the near future for several power stations in order to maintain a stable water supply during periods of power outage.
This was disclosed to media operatives today during the utility company’s midyear press conference, at its head office.
Managing Director, GWI, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles stated that particularly in large communities, which experience low voltage or power failures, there are often disruptions to the water supply. The Managing Director assured that GWI plans to alleviate this.
“In our proposal for support from the government, we’re seeking to purchase additional generator sets, especially for large populated areas. From a point of view of security, in some cases, if fires were to break out in these highly populated areas without generators we are unable to pump if there’s a blackout. So, we’re looking at this from a point of view of sustainable supply and security standpoint.”
In the interim, the water utility company has successfully placed a number of loggers in the supply system. These loggers will be recording, in real time, when the water pressure in specific areas decreases.
Executive Director, Operations, GWI, Dwayne Shako said the team works on a 24-hour shift system and are immediately dispatched in emergencies.
“Once that pressure drops, we dispatch an operator to the site, he does an assessment to see what the issue is. If there’s a mechanical or electrical problem and we have to extract we move ahead in that regard. Many times, it’s just an issue of low voltage or we have a blackout. But with this system in place, it helps us to understand what is happening at these pump stations,” Shako explained.
GWI is also continuing to clean storage tanks on the coast and is flushing lines. Plans are underway to place more flusher valves in the lines to improve efficiency.
GWI’s treatment plants and about 15 percent of pump stations including those in Diamond and La Parfaite Harmonie are already equipped with generators.
By: Ranetta La Fleur
Image: Jameel Mohamed