Minister Ali details Government’s significant investments in water sector

HOUSING and Water Minister, Irfaan Ali has said in a statement that the Government of Guyana has made significant investments in the water sector to ensure that all Guyanese have access to an acceptable supply of potable water.

Explaining that this access to water is being achieved through the upgrade of distribution systems, installation of transmission mains, improved service connections, metering, and the construction of new boreholes and new networks, Minister Ali related that “these programmes have produced tangible results on promises made in the (PPP/C) manifesto in 2011 in regard to the water sector.

More water treatment plants would be constructed along coastal regions, he said, while boreholes and wells would also be installed where needed, and the hours of access would be increased in those areas with less than 24 hours’ coverage. Moreover, solar-driven water systems in the hinterland would be expanded.

The programme is expected to benefit in excess of 55,000 households, 38,000 of which are in Georgetown; 6,440 are in Region 3; 6,756 are in Region 4, and 4,580 are in Region 6, with a per capita investment of nearly Gy$30,000 per person.

The Georgetown sewer system will be upgraded with increased support for solid waste disposal systems, particularly at the community level, he said.

The most recent intervention is the US$31,676,500 Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Improvement Programme which is being funded by the IDB and the EU, the overall objective of which is to improve efficiency, quality and sustainability of the potable water services in Regions 3, 4 and 6.

The programme will also see improved sanitation infrastructure in Georgetown; from Cornelia Ida to De Kinderen (inclusive of villages such as Leonora, Uitvlugt, Stewartville etc.) in Region 3; from Diamond to Herstelling in Region 4; and from Goed Bananen Land to Sheet Anchor to No.19 Villages in Region 6.

The programme will specifically cater to improve pressure, quality and continuity of the water supply service; reduce the level of non-revenue water (NRW) in the programme areas, and will ultimately result in improved level of service. Presently, the NRW level is above 60% in the coastal areas, and above 70% in Georgetown.

The programme targets reducing NRW to 50% in the programme areas through improved access to adequate sanitation, and strengthen GWI performance in its operation and management of water supply infrastructure.

The outputs that will be realised on the completion of the programme are the construction of 3 new Water Treatment Plants at Uitvlugt in Region 3; Diamond in Region 4, and Sheet Anchor in Region 6; the expansion of 2 existing water treatment plants in Georgetown (Sophia and Central Ruimveldt); and rehabilitation of one existing treatment plant at the Shelter Belt in Georgetown.

The programme also caters for the upgrading of nearly 20,000 service connections; upgrade of 1,000 pit latrines to efficient septic tanks; and replacement and installation of 70km of transmission and distribution mains in the programme areas.

Minister Ali reiterated that completion of this programme would result in increase of the treated water coverage in Guyana to 60%, which is part of the GWI Strategic Plan and Government’s commitment within the 2011 manifesto for the construction of new water treatment plants along coastal regions; in addition to expanding solar-driven water systems in the hinterland, which is ongoing; and upgrading of the Georgetown sewer system which is in its completion phase.
Written By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.