GUYANA Water Inc. (GWI) announced yesterday that it has commenced preparatory work for the Linden Water Supply and Rehabilitation Programme (LWSRP). Funded by the Government of Guyana, through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the cost is in excess of US$12M, the Programme Manager, Mr. Omar Bissoon, said.
According to him, the project seeks to significantly enhance the quality of life experienced by GWI customers in Linden through a massive rehabilitation of the water supply system.
“Over the next five years, we expect to undertake a series of large-scale civil works, which will include the construction of two new water treatment plants at Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc, as well as booster stations, reservoirs and the installation of transmission mains,” Bissoon said.
Rehabilitation of the distribution system, including replacing leaking pipelines and service connections, will be undertaken as well.
Bissoon said that with the combination of the new treatment facilities and the reduction of leaks, through an upgrade of the distribution network, Linden consumers will experience better water quality and higher levels of service.
He said under the same programme, GWI is also engaging a consultant to develop a strategy to reduce water loss and non-revenue flow.

Higher standard
“We are aware that the current system is not adequate, due to its age and the growth of the town over the years,” he said, but pointed out that when the new plants are fully operational, customers will enjoy a higher standard of treated water, as they are designed to deliver quality that fulfils World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
Bissoon said, too, that the programme will encompass a large public education and community outreach component.
“The success of the LWSRP also depends on the willingness of GWI Linden customers to partner with us on water conservation, protecting fresh-water resources, and maintaining safe household water supply,” he said, adding:
“For customers to enjoy higher levels of service, they must avoid wastage. We will be engaging all the treated water schemes in a conservation campaign via mass media and community meetings.”
With regard to protecting sources of fresh water, he explained that the new Wisroc Water Treatment Plant will utilise from the Dakoura Creek, hence Linden customers must protect the creek and its watershed by avoiding activities that can pollute it, such as mining and forestry,  and dumping garbage in or around it.
He emphasised that while the new facilities will provide an improved level of safe, potable water, it can still become contaminated if customers are reluctant to adopt safe habits, such as storing in covered containers and, consistently, cleaning black tanks.
“Linden customers can anticipate a robust public education thrust, including a 60-minute television documentary on the programme. We urge them to partner with us as we strive to significantly enhance their quality of life through the improvement of the service we deliver,”he advised. (Michel Outridge)