Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see collaboration in improving water quality and supply.
The MoU was signed by GWI’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Van West-Charles and Director of the IAST Dr. Suresh Narine.
It specifies that the IAST will act as a technology provider, advisor and implementer of technology solutions to enhance the operations and find solutions to the difficulties experienced by GWI.
According to Narine, GWI’s focus on water remains vital since, “without water, nations fail and life can’t continue.”
He further stated that as a result of the shared relationship with the top ranking Trent University in Canada, the IAST will be able to utilise the Institute for Fresh Water Science as well as the Water Quality Centre, both of which are active departments at Trent University. Currently, the IAST has a MoU with Trent University, which is among the top universities in the world that focus on water science.
With the availability of these “state of the art facilities” at both the IAST and Trent University, the IAST will seek to work with GWI first and foremost on water supply and quality but also in ancillary areas related to GWI. This would include the employment of alternative green technology for energy use, the employment of water shed eco-science and the study of water shed systems in Guyana.
“While we are known as the land of many waters, we have to manage aquifers (underground sources of water) very carefully,” Narine said as he referenced the current drought in sections of Region 9. He went on to explain that ecosystems in parts of the country are very fragile as they are highly dependent on the cycles of rainfall and the dry season. Another vital topic that will be up for discussion between GWI and IAST, he noted, is pesticide invasion. This, he said, would be as a result of the fact that we live in an “agricultural belt” and a significant amount of our fresh water comes from ground water in Guyana.
Meanwhile, Van West-Charles said, “GWI will benefit tremendously from this collaboration, especially in the areas of water quality and the management of Guyana’s water resources through analytical testing of ground and surface water sources.”
He further explained that the IAST will be collaborating with GWI to test aquifers and new wells to assess the effects of ground and surface water changes due to large expansion of new housing schemes and climate change.
“It is absolutely imperative to monitor the level of aquifers that we utilise to provide customers with water. The knowledge of the impact of consistently expanding new housing schemes as well as the effects of prolonged dry weather conditions is critical to the sustainable management of Guyana’s water resources,” Van West-Charles said.
He went on to say that by partnering with the IAST, the company would be in a better position to employ technology to monitor and assess the levels of such aquifers.
The IAST will also play a part in conducting relevant laboratory tests that the GWI’s recently resuscitated lab cannot yet carryout. Further, the collaboration will also be focused on building the knowledge capacity of GWI. “We will be seeking to develop a training programme with Trent University and IAST to train all levels of GWI staff,” the CEO said, while adding that the company anticipates heavy participation from Trent University particularly in this area.
And while the entities have not given a formal time frame for the implementation of the MoU, annual reports are expected to be carried out by both the IAST and GWI to assess the programme. Additionally, the cost of the MoU has been agreed to be shared between the two parties.
The newly-formed partnership between the two entities is part of GWI’s overarching strategic programme aimed at significantly enhancing the quality of service provided to customers countrywide.
