Over 24,000 get potable water for the first time
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, December 31, 2019
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) says more than 24,000 people received potable water for the first time in 2019.
Managing Director Dr. Richard Van West-Charles disclosed this on Tuesday at the company’s year-end press briefing.
Some 24,125 residents from Regions 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10 were this year’s first-time recipients compared to 23,635 in 2018.
Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, Managing Director of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI)
Overall, GWI has been able to provide potable water for 97 percent of the country’s population in collaboration with regional and international organisations.
Additionally, major maintenance work carried out on wells and improved level of service nationwide has seen over 75 percent of GWI customers now receiving 24-hour water supply.
Dr. Van West-Charles noted that customers were previously receiving water for only six to eight hours. GWI is also working to ensure that all educational and health facilities are equipped with a constant supply of water.
Meanwhile, the utility said that it has been able to reach the World Health Organization’s standards, 95-100 percent, for the quality and proper sanitisation of water provided to citizens.