THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will commence a mass disconnection campaign this month, and has cautioned citizens to “settle all outstanding balances” to avoid the inconvenience.

In a notice on Sunday, the water company listed scores of communities in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne) and Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) which would be tackled.

The company has stated in the past that disconnections and service removals are its last resorts, after numerous attempts to reach out to customers proved futile.
“GWI was owed in excess of $5 billion at the end of December 2007 by customers, some of whom have not paid their bills for several years. Added to this are the bills that are now due. This situation cannot be allowed to continue because the Company is unable to pay its main supplier, Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL),” GWI said in a statement. Illegal connection is also a major issue for the water company.

During the first quarter of this year, GWI was forced to disconnect water supply to several schools in Berbice due to the fact that some $61M had not been paid for the service provided.
The company also disconnected water supply from three of the city’s municipal markets, due to outstanding monies owed.

In a GWI 2018 survey it was reported that approximately 60 per cent of a sample population of 700 Georgetown customers had illegally reconnected their water service.

Customers are given 28 days after their bills are due to clear the balance or the option to take advantage of the utility’s wallet-friendly payment plans.

If they fail to do so, their services are disconnected and they are given an additional 28 days to pay their reconnection fee before there is a complete removal.

The cost for reconnection for residential persons is $7,500 and $16,000 for commercial customers, whereas the replacement fee for both categories is $20,000.

To be reconnected, the company states: “You must pay your bill at your local GWI office. You will also have to pay a reconnection fee. If you can’t pay the whole amount you may be allowed to pay in installments with a payment arrangement contract. If you have paid your bill at any other location other than the GWI office you must walk with your receipt as proof of payment.”

Meanwhile, the company reminded that to keep their water flowing, metered and unmetered customers must take note of the due dates of their September and October bills.

Some customers are overdue with their payments while others, especially those metered, still have a few days left to make their payments.

The due dates for unmetered customers to pay their October bills are: Region Two – October 29; Region Three – October 31; Georgetown – November 5; East Bank of Demerara (EBD) – October 30; East Coast of Demerara (ECD) – November 6; Region Five – October 29; Region Six – November 4; Region Seven – November 8; Region 10 – November 8.

For metered customers, the due dates to pay their September bills are: Region Two – November 11; Region Three – November 14; Georgetown – November 19; East Bank of Demerara (EBD) – November 13; East Coast of Demerara (ECD) – November 21; Region Five – November 12; Region Six – November 15; Region Seven – November 27; Lethem – November 27 and Region 10 – November 26.