Due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will not be conducting any meter readings and will instead give customers estimated bills.
During a virtual press conference broadcast on GWI’s Facebook page on Monday, Executive Director of Operations Dwayne Shako suggested that customers stand to actually benefit from paying less for their water service every month.
Shako explained that the company is facing expenses of close to $400 million dollars in order to provide clean water to citizens, so payment for its services is necessary. “If at the end of the month, due to [no] payment we cannot have that money come back to us from our customers so that we can buy additional chemicals to cleanse the water, then the money has to come from somewhere…and we don’t have the option where we can turn off and stop supplying the water,” he said.
Shako also confirmed that the company has also seen a major increase in water consumption per day, with it being just around 200,000 extra cubic meters of water per day. “Our system is indeed showing an increase of 200,000 cubic meters per day, and that’s really coming from where we have a lot of disinfection and sanitizing of the streets by the different [towns],” he said.
Shako admitted that these activities have put a strain on the company in terms of maintaining the water pressure while these exercises occur.
Shako sought to assure the public that GWI is doing everything in its power to ensure that the water being provided is microbiologically safe and will not cause any harm as the country grapples with the effects of the pandemic.
When asked what extra steps the company is taking to ensure that the water supply moving to the hospitals is properly treated to avoid contamination by the coronavirus, Shako explained that there is no special treatment done for the hospital’s water supply. “The water that leaves the facility and enters the hospitals has been disinfected and tested,” he said.
He expressed his confidence in the company’s ability to provide water that is safe and will cause no harm once used.
When asked if the virus can be found and transmitted through water, Shako highlighted that international studies are ongoing to determine whether or not the virus can be transmitted through water systems. “I’ve seen some international studies, and what I know is that they are now doing testing to see if there’s any trace of it in the sewer systems, but we are following the studies so that we can know what measures we can take to ensure that our workers and customers are protected, but as of right now there is no data or information that suggests that the virus can be found in water and transmitted from one person to the next through the water system,” he elaborated.
Shako also assured the public that the company will not be disconnecting water from persons during this time. “We have ceased all disconnections, so persons do not have to be afraid that they will be disconnected,” he explained.
Customer Relations Manager Andrea Khan added that the company is being somewhat patient and understands the current economic situation caused by the virus. “While we do understand that it is a very difficult time for some persons, we are still hoping that persons do come in and pay their bills, and we have [provided] all the convenient options for persons to pay their bills,” she explained.
Additionally, Khan noted that money is not being lost by the company because of the alternative payment options that are being encouraged due to social distancing protocols, but that payments are coming in, albeit slower than usual.
Khan also noted that the company, with approval from the government, has removed Value Added Tax (VAT) from water consumption. “You will not be billed VAT on your water bill, all you will see in your balance is the water consumption cost,” she stated.
Public Relations Officer Leanna Bradshaw highlighted that GWI will continue the placement of sinks in public places, especially in squatting settlements, to be able to flatten the COVID-19 curve in Guyana.
GWI is also urging their customers to visit its offices only if it is necessary. The company is also encouraging customers to make use of its online services to make all necessary payments.
