THE Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) has commenced the upgrade of sewerage pump stations and the installation of delivery mains under the Government of Guyana US$10M Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme (GSIP).

According to Arshad Yacoub, Senior Engineer (GWI), rehabilitation works at Pump Station ‘Z’ at Sussex and Saffon Streets and Pump Station ‘V’ at Princess and Smyth Streets have commenced. Installation works of delivery mains at Forshaw and Peter Rose Streets to Light and Fifth Streets have also started, he said.
The utility wishes to inform the public that rehabilitation works and installation of delivery mains to the following streets listed below will be ongoing for the next three months:

** Hadfield and Smyth Streets – Pump Station ‘S’
** Fort and Barrack Streets – Pump Station ‘B’
** Light and Forshaw Streets – Pump Station ‘J’
** New Market and Camp Streets – Pump Station ‘G’
** Quamina and Camp Streets to Quamina and Waterloo Streets
** New Market and Main Streets to the New Market and Waterloo Junction
** Princess Street and Louisa Row

GWI is also advising all customers residing in the afore-mentioned streets that there will be minor traffic diversions, breaking of roads and noise associated with the use of heavy equipment.
The utility is appealing to all customers for their patience and partnership during the execution of the GSIP.  The programme will result in significantly minimising sewage overflows and other problems associated with the sanitation system.
GWI also expressed its gratitude to customers of Georgetown for their continued partnership and apologises for any inconvenience  experienced.  Customers with concerns or questions can contact GWI’s Customer Service Call Centre on 227-8701 or e-mail: customercallcentre@gwi.gy.  Customers can also post via social media at www.facebook.com/everydropcountsgy

History of the GSIP
GWI  is the executing agency for the Government of Guyana and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme (GSIP).
An agreement was signed between the Government of Guyana and the IDB for the sum of US$10,000,000 for the improvement of the operational performance of the Georgetown Sewerage System. This contract was signed on December 8, 2010 based on an agreement that the Guyana Government and the IDB will cooperate in the execution of the Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme.
Components of the Programme will include the complete replacement of the 5.5 KM sewerage ring main in Georgetown; replacement of all delivery mains; purchase and installation of additional pumps for the 24 pumping stations to ensure adequate pressure, operational reliability and improvement to the electrical connections. It will also include an assessment and emergency rehabilitation of street sewers in selected areas and purchase of maintenance and operating equipment.
Further, the implementation of the programme will include the strengthening of GWI’s Wastewater Management and Energy Efficiency. This component will involve the development of an asset management implementation strategy; staff training programmes on waste-water operation, maintenance practices and energy use. The contract will also include public awareness campaigns that will target schools and business owners.
This component is significant in light of the continued abuse of the system by customers who continue to dump solid waste which affects the efficiency of the system and results in overflows.
It is imperative that these structural improvements provided by the programme be complemented by the proper use of the system by customers in order to achieve maximum efficiency.