GUYANA Water Inc. announced yesterday that 85 per cent of its customers have not yet paid their water bills although GWI has seen an increase in revenue for 2009.

Public Relations Officer Timothy Austin told the Guyana Chronicle the same number owes for 2008-2009 and previous years.

He appealed to consumers to visit any GWI office countrywide and negotiate flexible payment plans now being offered by the utility.

Mr. Austin also encouraged them to query their accounts.

He said GWI will soon embark on its Community Outreach Programme which is geared towards reaching out to people who find it difficult to go to GWI offices.

Meantime, Austin reminded that, although GWI has been lenient, so far, those who have outstanding bills will be disconnected if they fail to pay.

He warned defaulters that they can also be taken to Court, especially big businesses that owe a lot of money.

Austin said GWI will launch a sensitisation campaign in schools across the country, in an effort to educate children on the importance of paying for water.

“We want to get the message across and see it fit that children can, in turn, urge their parents to pay their water bills and avoid disconnection,” he explained. (Michel Outridge)