THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is calling on residents to desist from tampering with fire hydrants and its water distribution network.

The call was made on Sunday after residents of Agricola, East Bank Demerara,reportedly opened the fire hydrant in the area at around 09:00hrs, resulting in the wastage of water.

GWI Regional Manager (Georgetown), Curtis Niles told Guyana Chronicle that around 09:00hrs on Sunday, he received a call from the Guyana Fire Service informing him that a hydrant at Agricola was turned on by residents.

It was explained by the Fire Service that a similar incident had occurred last year and the firemen had difficulties in turning it off hence, a decision was taken this time around to call GWI.

Upon learning of the issue, Niles sent his crew to the area, along with ranks of the Guyana Police Force, to close the fire hydrant.

“The police was there to make it easy, however, they were still unable to get the fire hydrant closed,” Niles noted.

According to reports, residents in the area who were barring the GWI crew from closing the hydrant, were playing with the water.

“We ultimately took off the well to take control of the situation because this went on for hours,” the regional manager disclosed.

The well was switched off around 12:00hrs, thereby affecting the entire community. At the time of the interview, Niles was unable to say when the well was switched back on.

It was made clear that only GWI and the Guyana Fire Service has the authority to activate fire hydrants.

In an advisory, GWI said tampering with water hydrants and its water distribution network can result in “long hours of downtime and inconvenience to other residents.”

GWI also said that charges of tampering can be laid against persons who fail to adhere.