MINISTER within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, returned to the community of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, on Tuesday, to meet with residents and inform them of the works that had commenced to improve their water service.

The minister had attended an outreach with President, Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday last, where concerns relating to water quality were raised.

She explained that the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) was conducting assessments to address the quality of service they were receiving. The community is supplied with a 24-hour water service but there is a high concentration of iron, GWI release said.

To tackle the issue immediately, the GWI will be flushing the pipelines. Minister Rodrigues noted that she will see to it that a schedule is implemented to ensure flushing is done regularly. Plans are also in place to repair leaks along the network, which would help to prevent contamination and further improve water quality.

A long-term solution however, is to install in-line filters to treat the water. The Housing and Water Minster pointed out that 52 per cent of Guyana is receiving access to treated water and Government is committed to providing treated water for at least 90 per cent of the population by the end of its first-term in office.