7,000 gained access to potable water for first time in 2022

Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Shaik Baksh says 7,000 residents gained access to potable water for the first time in 2022.

This is a significant improvement in the government’s efforts to improve water access across the country by about 95 by 2025.

During a press conference on Tuesday Baksh said, “We have been able to improve access to water which now stands at 97 per cent and importantly we have been extending water supply to unserved areas across the coastal belt.”

He said 7,000 persons have benefited from first-time service in 2022 and access to potable water for the hinterland region moved to 75 per cent.

Multiple water wells were commissioned across the country, including on the coast to increase access to potable water. A water well, worth $141 million, was commissioned at Lusignan; another at Providence to the tune of $130 million; one at Wakenaam at a cost of $50 million, and another at New Chesney, Berbice.

Residents of the hinterland also received first-time access with the commissioning of 20 water treatment systems at Aranaputa, Rupertee, Wowetta, Rupununi, Jawalla, Shulinab and Annai, among others.

Additionally, the metering programme has increased with hopes of more areas being covered in 2023.

“Our metering programme is moving apace. In 2022, we have installed 20,000 according to our target set and in 2023 that will be increased to 35,000 meters across the coastal belt,” Baksh told reporters.

The metering programme will assist in ensuring that GWI provides access to water while reducing the water losses in non-revenue water (NRW).

“We have to bring that down and we are working hard to bring that over the next two to three years to sustainable levels because in our strategic plan, we have 55 to reduce NRW losses from 67 per cent to 55 we are hoping that we can even achieve the figure of 50,” he explained.