GWI assures…
– leak posed no danger to nearby residents
THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the nation’s supplier of water and sanitation services, has indicated that there was ‘a chlorine gas leak’ within the compound of the Shelter-Belt Water Treatment Plant which occurred during the early morning hours on Saturday last. However, the Water company, in a statement yesterday, noted that quick action by treatment plant operators prevented any escalation of the gas leak.

According to GWI’s Health and Safety Officer, Christopher Cathro, the leak was caused by a faulty chlorine gas container. Following the first indicators, Shelter-Belt plant operators immediately contained the leak in accordance with guidelines specified by GWI’s Plant Safety Management System.

Cathro further advised, “the leak posed no danger to nearby residents. Due to the swift action by our operators, the amount of gas which escaped into the open air was minimal and did not cause any harm to the plant operators, plant or other animal life within the vicinity.”

GWI said the Health and Safety officer further indicated that a full investigation was conducted with the aim of minimizing similar occurrences.  Further, he advised that all safety measures for the handling of chlorine gas cylinders will continue at all GWI facilities.  “These are constantly reviewed and recommendations for improved safety are implemented with the aim of eliminating any potential hazards to public safety,” the company stated.

GWI is also advising residents that the smell of chlorine gas would have resulted from the minimal amounts of chlorine that would have been diffused and diluted in the air around the treatment plant.  It assured that the concentration was negligible and would not have resulted in any adverse consequences to plant or animal life.
The company also offers all assurances that the safety of its customers and residents living and working in communities in which GWI operates remains a top priority.