WITH a vision to ensure that all Guyanese on the coast and interior regions have access to quality water, GWI on Thursday kicked off its 15th Anniversary celebrations under the theme, “Ensuring Equity and Improving Quality.”
Addressing the anniversary launch at the company’s Vlissengen Road and Church Street headquarters, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams, said the theme can only be realised when all customers are recipients of the same level of service.
“When the quality service provided on the coastland is delivered in the same manner in the hinterland, only then can we definitely say that equity and quality have been achieved, but until then, we have a long way to go,” the minister noted.
As such, Minister Hastings-Williams called on GWI to recommit to its mission to provide equal access to safe, adequate and affordable water and sewage systems to Guyanese living on the coastland and in the hinterland.
“Be committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Six, for us to ensure access to water and sanitation for all throughout the length and breadth of our country,” she urged.
SDG Goal Six addresses issues relating to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene and the quality and sustainability of water resources worldwide.

Sharing his vision for the future of the water utility in Guyana, GWI Managing- Director Dr Richard Van-West Charles assured customers that the company plans to boost production levels and improve water quality and overall services.
He informed those gathered that GWI will be adopting the approach of establishing a series of well fields in communities. This, he explained, will guard against dependency on one well for water supply per community. Well fields allow for other wells to serve as a back-up in a community if one fails.
Dr Van-West Charles also spoke about the company’s investment in the knowledge and technical capabilities of its engineers to be able to drill wells.
In this regard, he noted that a number of technical personnel are benefiting from overseas training in cutting-edge, well-drilling techniques.

ALL SCHOOLS
Meanwhile, the managing-director said efforts are afoot to have, in the near future, equal access to potable water in all schools across the country, even as it continues to examine a number of integrated approaches to ensure better- tasting, safe drinking water.
These include continuing the establishment of mini-laboratories that test the quality of water produced every hourly. He also underscored the importance of fairness and justice to the workforce and the customers, which will be a principal part of the company’s operations.
GWI Executive Director for Commercial Services and Customer Relations Marlon Daniels, who spoke on the progress of the water company, particularly under the stewardship of Dr Van-West Charles, said for the first time in the history of the water company, training was extended to all levels of staff.
“I have seen electricians and diesel mechanics go overseas for training, and the pride that was displayed on their faces when they came back to give their report was really telling… the point I am making is that the common line workers now feel that they have a place at the table,” Daniels posited.
He highlighted that in 18 months, Dr Van-West Charles has also increased the stipends of sanitation workers from a mere $5 to $1500 per day. Facilities were also put in place to allow these workers to shower at work, for the first time, before they go home.
He also noted that also within the past 18 months, in excess of 100,000 residents have received service for the first time in all regions of Guyana. The water company also increased the hours of service at 85 per cent of its facilities, and in so doing allowed for several areas to now benefit from 24-hour service.
A new water-treatment system was also rolled out at several pumping stations, resulting in over 30,000 customers receiving improved quality of water.

STRENGTH

Reflecting on the past 15 years of GWI’s existence and beyond, board member David H J Dewar noted that, “The strength of the old GS&WC was in the ability of Shelter Belt crews — including the Repair Shop — to keep the company functioning in hard financial times, and the strength of Guyana Water Authority was in their in-house ability to bore and service their own wells.”

“I would like… to compliment the present GWI management on attaining this decade and a half of service to our customers, and to further compliment them in their drive to upgrade in-house skills, not only in the repair shop areas, but also in striving to recreate and upgrade our skills and lost abilities in well-drilling and in other areas generally throughout the organisation,” he added.

GWI’s month of celebratory activities include school tours and exhibitions on May 9 at water-treatment plants in the regions, an essay competition with the topic “Providing Equal Access to Quality Water for All in Guyana” opened to children, ages nine to 14years and radio and television programmes.
For staff, there will be dominoes, karaoke, football and cricket competitions, a cookout, a grand fun day and an awards and prize-giving ceremony.
Also present at the launch were Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan and Permanent Secretary Emil McGarrell.
GWI was established 15 years ago, following a merger of the Guyana Water Authority (GUYWA) and the Georgetown Sewerage and Water Commissioners (GS&WC).