Tendering process for three new water treatment plants almost completed

Georgetown, GINA, July 19, 2016

Following review by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the loan agency, the tendering process for the three new water treatment plants that will be constructed in three regions is almost completed.

The water treatment plants to be built at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, Diamond, East Bank Demerara and Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice will benefit over 50,000 people.

Ramchand Jailal, Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) Executive Director of Infrastructure Planning and Implementation, in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) said, “I would say no later than two weeks (for the completion of the tendering process) because we want to ensure that all the design criteria are within that tender document,” Jailal stated.

The facilities will be constructed under the water supply and sanitation infrastructure improvement programme of the GWI.

The Director noted that the tendering process will be assessing each contractor to ensure that capable persons are selected to build the water treatment plants. “This project is tendered on a turn-key basis where bidders are invited to provide their design and we are looking for the best design, the most efficient design for the water treatment plants,” Jailal explained.

Construction for the water treatment plants should take no longer than 24 months to be completed.

Additionally, the programme also includes a component for non-revenue water reduction in the areas where the water plants will be constructed.  Jailal told GINA, “that component will see GWI ensuring that our water system is tight so that any leaks that are existing in the system are eliminated.”

Residents in the areas slated to benefit from the water plants will be issued with water meters in an effort to reduce water wastage.