—-as GWI commissions US$6M water treatment plant at Uitvlugt
OVER 20,000 persons, who reside within the catchment area of the Tuschen/Uitvlugt Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), will benefit from ‘pure’ and ‘clean’ water through the US$6M Uitvlugt Water Treatment Plant, which was commissioned by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), on Saturday.
It will provide residents of Hague back, Cornelia Ida, Anna Catherina, Leonora, Stewartville, Uitvlugt, Zeeburg, De Willem, Meten-meer-zorg and De Kinderen, with 24-hour access to treated water. It was built by Sinohydro Corporation.
The project was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union (EU). The beneficiaries are receiving improved water quality, quantity and continuity of service. This includes schools and health facilities.
The plant’s peak treatment capacity is 15,000 cubic meters of water per day and the water produced is free from iron, pathogenic organisms and other contaminants. It is safe for drinking purposes and household usage. “Think about what is happening…this is what we consider to be a quality of life which people are entitled to, in terms of the good life…we campaigned on that and we continue to provide that good life. This is a manifestation of the good life,” said Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, during his remarks at the commissioning ceremony for the water treatment plant.
He commended GWI for the work they have been doing across the country, noting that the utility company is paying attention to the “smallest man” and staying in line with government’s mandate of ensuring that “the good life” is enjoyed by every Guyanese, irrespective of where they live.
Harmon said water is an essential part of that good life because “water is life,” and access to good, quality water is a human right. “You have a right to high and good quality of water…it is a human right and it is enshrined in international documents…it is one of the SDGs, which is set for countries to achieve by 2030…but the CEO (GWI) has given himself up to 2025, which is commendable,” said the director general.
Harmon was satisfied with the pace at which GWI is going and he believes that GWI could actually ensure there is universal access to quality water by 2025. “I say we have increased and improved quality of life, and created the good life in many different ways…for instance some people living in an unregulated community now have the joy of turning on a pipe and getting running water which is clean,” said the director general, reiterating that GWI is executing their projects in a way to ensure that there is water at the lowest levels.
In speaking about the current project, he said: “we are now taking it from the smallest level where people do not pay, to a facility like this which is close to US$6M, which will provide pure, clean water for over 20,000 residents.”
Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, said the water treatment plant is part of a larger US$31.6M project which was signed in 2014 by the Government of Guyana (GoG) and the IDB, for a Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Improvement Programme.
He said the Uitvlugt plant is the first one which GWI is commissioning, but there are two other plants at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara and at Sheet Anchor in Berbice.
“Diamond is the largest one and then this…we have begun to see the benefits in terms of the varying components of this project…there has been metering, more effective and efficient use of water, and the level of service in all three areas has improved significantly,” said Dr. Charles.
Speaking specifically about the Uitvlugt plant, he said: “The level of service is good and we have not reached the maximum level as yet…the water quality is important and with this facility, all of the residents that are served by this facility do not have to purchase bottled water.
“And this is the trend we want, where we are putting water quality at the centre of what we do…this is, however, only part of what comes to Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara,” said Dr. Charles, noting that GWI will soon be completing various projects at West Minister, Nismes, Leguan and Wakenaam.
Dr. Van-West Charles said, the GWI has also purchased two well-drilling rigs, which will arrive this month, one of which will be sent to the hinterland and the other will be utilised in Georgetown. These rigs, he said, will see wells being drilled at Farm, East Bank Demerara and Central Georgetown, among other areas.
Taking a page of out Harmon’s book, the managing director said President David Granger, speaks about the good life and this is part of that promise.
He said the “good life” has been delivered to Uitvlugt but now it is important that the residents work together with the NDC and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to ensure that the facility is maintained.
Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Three, Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall, made a commitment to ensuring that the facility is maintained and cared.
“GWI has done a tremendous job…GWI is doing a wonderful job…Den Amstel and some other areas that are on scheduled water, in another three weeks they will have continuous water…this government will take you to the heights that you have never been,” said Ferreira-Dougall.
