IN an effort to provide safe water to its customers and enhance their level of accuracy, the Guyana Water Inc.’s Water Quality Laboratory has made history when it was certified for the first time, after conforming to the Guyana Standard GYS 170, “General requirements for the operation of a laboratory”.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) on Monday morning presented the certificate and terms of conditions for the certification to GWI following a press briefing at GWI’s Head Office at Shelter Belt, Vlissengen Road and Church Street, Georgetown. Head of Water Quality, Deon Anderson, told reporters that the certification is the validation of their competence, the laboratory’s ability to deliver accurate and precise information to customers.

He explained that whatever information generated by the water company is accurate and reliable with the highest level of precision. Anderson said, “We were able to attain certification for about a year with collaboration with Dr. Ramoutar we managed to develop calibration, accuracy check, reliability of testing information and for example, at every water quality [check] we ensure our equipment are in order, calibrated on a daily basis and accuracy levels are constantly being tested.”

He related that the certification is an ongoing system to meet national and international standards to ensure the water company is in compliance and their improved water quality is safe for distribution to restore the confidence of its customers. GWI’s Laboratory Consultant Dr. Karamchand Ramoutar, who is an overseas based micro-biologist, has been spearheading the certification exercise with the provision of technical services.

He stated that with the certification of the laboratory, they have attained ISO’s standard which simply means their ‘house is in order’ for its operations and their level of accuracy is on par with national and international standards. In brief remarks, GNBS Head, Conformity Assessment Department, Rodlyn Semple congratulated GWI for their certification since laboratories in Guyana need to recognise the need to become certified to the Guyana Standard GYS 170 “General requirements for the operation of a laboratory”.

She added that it took GWI’s laboratory one year to become certified by GNBS and their operation is of the highest standard with reliable testing and services for an improved laboratory performance. Semple stated that a re-evaluation will be done in two years’ time. Also in remarks, GWI’s Managing Director Dr. Richard Van-West Charles said the journey was not an easy one and described the ceremony as a good one for GWI having joined the company in 2015.

He told the press conference that the utility company’s objective is to provide a safe product for customers and that is the real purpose for the certification of their laboratory. Dr. Van-West Charles credits their laboratory certification to Dr. Ramoutar’s input to fulfil their duty to provide a safe product for distribution and they seek to continuously improve their systems and services. He disclosed that Port Kaituma and Mabaruma will be provided with safe potable water supply soon and their aim is reach every community including, the far-fetched villages in the hinterland and they are constantly implementing newer initiatives.