GWI records 98.3% coverage as Guyana improves access to potable water

Guyana’s population now has 98.3 percent access to potable water, marking a remarkable achievement for Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) in 2024.

At a year-end press conference held at State House on Tuesday, President Dr Irfaan Ali highlighted that this success is the direct outcome of substantial investments in the water sector, which included the development of water wells and treatment plants throughout the past year.

“The hinterland and riverain communities have seen an increase in access to water from 46 per cent in 2020 to 91 per cent by the end of 2024. During the year, we also saw the construction of seven large water treatment plants,” the president remarked.

President Ali further revealed that six of these seven treatment plants are currently being tested and are expected to become fully operational by the end of January 2025. Together, these plants will supply treated water to over 134,000 residents.

In 2024, the expansion and upgrading of 12 additional water treatment plants were planned. Four of these upgrades have already been completed, with the remaining plants set to finish by mid-February 2025. These improvements will provide enhanced water quality to more than 34,000 residents.

The president also noted that the construction of 15 small inline treatment plants is underway. These plants will serve over 70,000 residents in smaller communities along the coast. Two of these plants are already being installed and are expected to be finished before the first half of 2025.

Altogether, these new treatment plants will benefit over 250,000 residents with access to treated water.

“More than 126 new wells were drilled. Seventy new wells are projected to be completed in the first half of 2025,” President Ali added.

The government’s significant investment in the water sector is part of its commitment to providing 100 percent access to treated water for all Guyanese by the end of 2025. This initiative aligns with the country’s broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).