GWI inks contracts for 14 new water treatment plants

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) on Friday, August 2, 2024, signed approximately GY$250 million in contracts to begin infrastructure works for fourteen (14) small water treatment plants in Regions 4, 5 and 6.

These are part of an overall GY$1.3 billion investment programme to deliver treated water access for over 63,000 residents in small coastal communities.

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal participated in the signing at GWI’s Corporate Complex, Vlissengen Road, along with Chief Executive Officer Shaik Baksh and the ten (10) contractors who would execute the ancillary works.

Several of GWI’s managers also witnessed the signing, where Minister Croal noted that these facilities would complement the seven (7) large water treatment plants being built by GWI under Guyana’s Coastal Water Treatment Programme to improve water quality. This massive programme represents an investment of about GY$40 billion by the Government of Guyana to achieve 90% treated water coverage by 2025.

Six of the large plants are scheduled for completion by the end of this year. The seventh plant along with all the smaller ones are expected to be finished by the end of the first quarter of 2025. As such, Minister Croal urged the contractors to deliver on time especially considering the needs of GWI’s customers.

Similarly, Baksh highlighted the challenging task for GWI to immediately address all the complaints about water quality and level of service. However, he noted that the ongoing works are intended to bring significant improvements.

“Already we have piloted a small water treatment plant at Sparendaam, which has been performing excellent because there has been praises from the communities at Sparendaam, Plaisance, South Better Hope and Goedverwagting in the performance of this plant and the treated water being received,” Baksh said.

The contracts signed on Friday would enable similar facilities in areas such as Agricola, La Bonne Intention, and Lusignan in Region 4; Perseverance, Farm. Calcutta, Weldaad, Strath Campbell and Ithaca well stations in Region 5; Edinburg, Chesney, Mibicuri, Johanna, No. 69 village and Crabwood Creek in Region 6.

Twelve (12) of the water filters units for these plants are currently being manufactured overseas and a local contractor is fabricating three (3) of the plants in Guyana. (GWI press release)