GOVERNMENT is investing G$2.581 billion to improve the water sector infrastructure across all the administrative regions of Guyana; but Region 6 customers of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will benefit from construction of a state-of-the-art water-treatment facility at Sheet Anchor, East Canje,Berbice, which will serve customers from #19 Village to Fort Ordnance and Goed Bananen Land in East Canje, Berbice.Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Dr Richard Van-West Charles, met with Region 6 Chairman David Armogan and Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya on Wednesday to discuss the current developmental plan for the water sector in Region 6.

“With such a densely populated region, GWI’s aim is to ensure consistent and quality service with minimum disruptions,” Dr Van-West Charles said in his remarks to the Regional Chairman and the REO. “With the recent investment in the region’s water-service infrastructure, GWI will ensure that all works are executed to a high standard, with the improvement of the standard of living being the ultimate goal,” he expanded.

Construction of the new facility forms part of the Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Improvement Programme (WSSIIP) funded by the Government of Guyana, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Investment Facility (CIF) of the European Union (EU).

In excess of 20,500 persons, or more than 5,300 households, will have enhanced levels of service and improved quality of water upon completion of the facility, construction of which will commence in January 2016. To encourage water conservation by customers, the programme will include installation of water meters within the project area; and to foster improved public health, the programme will include a component for installation of septic tanks within the community of Sheet Anchor, East Berbice.

“Enhancing public health through the provision of safe, potable water and the improvement of the sanitation system are the main thrusts of the water service improvement programme for Region 6,” the GWI Chief Executive said. “We are partnering with the regional administration, NDCs and all community-oriented bodies to ensure that GWI customers of Region 6 benefit from an improved quality of life.”

Dr Van-West Charles has indicated that the services of the GWI would be available to the regional administration for 24 hours each day, and that GWI Divisional Manager for East Berbice, Mr Jawaharlal Ramjug, will be instituting an “after-hours” emergency team to respond to service disruptions, leaks and other emergencies.