The Ministry of Housing and Water is confident that the government will be able to deliver on its promise of 90 per cent treated water for all coastal residents by 2025.
At a press briefing on Wednesday both subject ministers, Collin Croal and Susan Rodrigues, reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the goal and said work is well underway towards its attainment.
“On the coastland, from Charity all the way to Moleson Creek, we must have 100 percent access of water to households, and similarly in the hinterland. That is our objective, that is our target that we are trying to achieve and we have about two more years to ensure that we achieve that,” Croal said.
Treated water for coastal residents stood at 52 per cent in 2020 and is now roughly at 55 per cent.
But according to Croal, in the first quarter of 2024 there will be marked improvements in the enhancement of water quality with the ongoing upgrades of new systems.
The highlight of these efforts is the construction of seven new treatment plants and new wells to supply those plants.
“The reality is that these should be completed by the end of 2025,” Croal said while also noting the installation of a number on in-line filters to support water quality enhancement.
“That is why we asked for the patience of residents, villagers and homeowners.
“We have already set on stream the investment required to bring the level of satisfactory service we all desire,” Croal added.
Providing a wider update on the operations of the Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Minister Rodrigues pointed out that some 35, 000 households received potable water for the first time in 2023 and with the seven new water treatment plants to be constructed, 12 existing ones are being upgraded with plans to build five more water treatment plants in the future.
Hinterland water supply also improved significantly in 2023 with over 60 new wells drilled mostly in hinterland and riverine communities.
“The company [GWI] is in a solid financial position with no outstanding debts to suppliers and no bank overdrafts,” Rodrigues noted.
Investments she said are also on building infrastructure, training, increasing salaries for technical staff and investment in protective gear.
“We are enhancing capabilities across the sector… the results sums up of all action taken over last three years… and maintenance is something we have been paying careful attention to,” the Minister noted.
“The water sector is performing well with prudent and efficient management. We have managed to reduce corruption and improve transparency and accountability,” she added.
