GUYANA Water Inc. (GWI) has embarked on continuing its massive upgrading project, at East Coast Demerara, where the old service pipelines are being replaced with galvanized ones.
Project Manager, Mr. Omar Bissoon told the Guyana Chronicle that the exercise, to change the connections to every household, started in 2009, when about 5,000 residents, in various areas, had theirs changed.
That happened in the villages of Two Friends, Clonbrook, Cove and John, Golden Grove, Nabaclis, Bee Hive, Non Pareil, Vryheid’s Lust and Haslington, he said, noting that the work is being funded by the Government, at a cost of $150M.
Bissoon said all materials are sourced and purchased by GWI but contractors are employed for the jobs.
He explained that the regular polyhose pipeline is sleeved with galvanized to ensure it is more robust and is expected to last 20 years.
According to him, there are, presently, about four different contracts being executed on the East Coast Demerara, to replace the transmission and distribution lines in several areas.
He said Success and Montrose are being targeted but a new main transmission and distribution line is to be commissioned at Jangotown, later this month, to, immediately, improve water pressure immensely.
Bissoon said the installation of new mains to boost transmission and distribution on the East Coast Demerara is costing $300M.
He said, that is necessary because several places are experiencing low water pressure and, as such, the service is being bolstered from the treatment plant to the mains which supply residents.
Bissoon said the intention is to increase the pressure in the affected areas North of Jangotown and Cow Dam, Coldingen.
He said GWI will also install distribution and transmission lines to Dazzell Housing Scheme at a cost of $40M, so that residents there will receive potable water supply this year.