IN RESPONSE to a string of oral questions posed by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, disclosed that the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) had used polyhexanide, sold under the name antinfek, to purify some of the water supply lines.He said 100 litres of the chemical had been purchased for the purpose of testing.

“Mr Speaker the information that has been provided to me is that some of the product that was procured was used for the purification of some of the water supply lines,” Minister Bulkan told the National Assembly on Friday.

The admission by Bulkan came following his attempt to answer a number of questions posed by Dr. Anthony.

Polyhexanide is a polymer used as a disinfectant and antiseptic. It was during the 45th Sitting of the National Assembly that Dr. Anthony questioned the Minister of Communities about the use of the chemical by GWI.

“Could the Minister of Communities, Housing and Water, the Honorable Member Ronald Bulkan, confirm to this House that Antinfek or Polyhexanide is being used for the purification of drinking water in Guyana? And if this is so, can the minister inform this House who authorised the use of Antinfek for the purification of drinking water in Guyana? And when was this decision taken to use Antinfek instead of Chlorine?” Dr. Anthony asked.

The PPP Parliamentarian also called on the subject minister to identify which of the water wells were or are using Antinfek, the location of these wells, and the amount of people served by these wells. In response, Minister Bulkan told the House that there was no decision taken to use Polyhexanide instead of Chlorine, ruling out allegations that the chemical is being used to treat water at some water treatment plants.

“This particular chemical is not being used at any of the locations for which treated water is provided by GWI. At all of the locations…Chlorine is the sole disinfectant that is being used. In addition to Chlorine, at some of these plants lime is being used,” he explained.

However, he admitted that a small amount of the chemical was acquired for the purpose of testing, and he noted that it has been proclaimed to be a safe product.

“I am pleased to relate to this Honourable House at this stage that the particular chemical in question has been proclaimed as a safe product for various applications relating to human hygiene, private and public health areas…canned preservatives as well as drinking water,” Minister Bulkan pointed out.

According to Bulkan, Antinfek was used in Guyana prior to its current consideration for use by GWI. He noted that the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Import Board had granted permission to an agent to import and distribute the chemical in Guyana.

The Minister of Communities also indicated that management of the GWI had met on Friday with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and had provided the Commission with complete answers to a number of questions posed. The PUC had earlier written GWI about the use of the chemical.

On October 17, GWI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Richard Van West- Charles had assured that the water entity is committed to distributing safe and uncontaminated water at all times.

“We cannot knowingly distribute water that is contaminated by pathogens. Our first call is to ensure that whatever water (is) distributed is safe for consumption,” he had said.

The CEO had said that when he took office, he noted the inadequate efforts that were being placed on disinfection and filtration, and thus had decided to research Antinfek as a means of boosting the treatment of water to ensure better quality and distribution.

In a statement to the media, GWI sought to put to rest claims that Antinfek is harmful for human consumption. The company said Antinfek is an organic chemical being researched by GWI for effective disinfection prior to distribution of water to the public.

Additionally, the water entity dispelled reports that the use of Antinfek replaced that of chlorine for the decontamination of water.

“GWI also wishes to categorically state that chlorine is being used as the sole disinfecting agent in all the treatment plants, while laboratory studies are being done on the use of other treatment alternatives,” the statement said.

Additionally, GWI disclosed that it had purchased 342 cylinders of chlorine gas from JCI Jones Chemicals and Ansa McAl Group of Companies to treat water.