Dear Editor,
Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the nation’s supplier of water and sanitation services, wishes to respond to the Stabroek News editorial Thursday, February 27, titled ‘Water, water everywhere.’
GWI thanks your publication for highlighting the issues which continue to challenge the utility so that this forum may be used to provide information on some of the initiatives being executed to improve GWI’s services. The company wishes to respond to two issues stated in the editorial regarding 1) cross contamination by sewer pipelines and 2) water quality.
Referring to the Government of Guyana and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) US$10, 000,000 Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme (GSIP), the editorial stated that the deterioration of sewer pipelines can lead to cross contamination. GWI wishes to state that any cross contamination would have been detected by the company’s Scientific Services Department which conducts routine tests throughout Georgetown including tests for faecal coliform. No instances of cross contamination have been detected by GWI’s Scientific Services team which continues to consistently monitor all water distributed to customers.
Under the GSIP, new sewer lines are being installed in a manner that avoids close proximity to water service distribution pipelines. According to GSIP Senior Engineer Arshad Yacoub, “In cases where we cannot avoid installing sewer lines in the proximity of water distribution pipelines, we are digging much deeper and installing the lines in such a manner that the possibility of cross contamination would be nullified.” This project is on schedule to be completed in 2014.
Water quality continues to be a key area for improvement within the utility. While access to water service has expanded countrywide through large investments by the Government of Guyana, GWI continues to experience challenges with water quality. However, through the company’s strategic plan several developmental programmes to improve water quality are being explored, including the construction of new treatment plants. Construction of two state-of-the-art treatment plants is currently being executed for water quality improvement in the Linden community under the Government of Guyana and Inter-American Development Bank US$12.3 million Linden Water Supply Rehabilitation Programme.
Over the next three years there are plans for the construction of new water treatment facilities and to expand another three existing plants. This will extend treated water to a larger percentage of the population.
Customers seeking information on the GSIP or initiatives to improve water quality can visit www.gwiguyana.com, ‘like’ GWI on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ everydropcountsgy or request information from the company’s Public Relations Department via pro@gwi.gy or Blackberry pin number 296185F9. Additionally, videos on the GSIP are available on GWI’s Youtube channel www.youtube.com/user/guyanawaterinc
Yours faithfully,
Timothy Austin
PRO
Guyana Water Inc
