Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) today apologized to the residents of Central Georgetown for the prolonged disruption of water service experienced yesterday and this morning.
GWI in a statement said that the disruption was due to a major breakage on a 20-inch transmission main on Church Street, near to the Indian High Commission.
The utility said that its technicians toiled throughout the night on Saturday to effect repairs under difficult circumstances.
Water supply to the city was turned on at approximately 9:30am today. However, due to the length of time it was off, city wards received water through their taps at various times.
GWI said that it is currently undertaking the installation of pipelines along Merriman Mall to upgrade the aged Georgetown transmission network, particularly those along Church Street.
It noted that many of the transmission mains within the Georgetown pipe distribution network are approximately 100 years old and are prone to breakage, particularly under the pressure of heavy-duty vehicles.
This is a continuation of works undertaken at Newtown, Kitty and Cemetery Road to replace and upgrade the old pipe infrastructure in the city.
GWI said that the upgrade works would not only improve the integrity of the pipelines, but would also improve the level of service and quality of water customers receive. This is phase one of the project and the transmission lines will run from the Shelterbelt to East Street. The duration of the project is 6 months.
Over the past two years, GWI says it has expended close to $1 Billion on the Georgetown Infrastructure Renewal Project, which includes upgrades to transmission mains at Vlissengen Road, Cemetery Road and now Church Street.
Another $200M in Government’s supplementary financing is allocated for projected works from Church Street to High Street, along Avenue of the Republic and from Lamaha Street to the Pegasus Hotel.
