CRITICAL investments and the implementation of new policies have led to a significant increase in access to potable water across the country, Housing and Water Minster Collin Croal has said.

Minister Croal during his contribution to the 2024 budget debate during the 76th sitting of the National Assembly last week, disclosed that access to potable water supply for coastal and hinterland communities has increased significantly.

“We had to upgrade and replace old distribution mains in Georgetown and modernise the sewerage and wastewater infrastructure…access to potable water supply to the hinterland population increased from 46 per cent in 2020 to 82 per cent at the end of 2023.”

He further revealed that water losses were reduced from 69 per cent in 2020 to 62 per cent in 2023.

Meanwhile, meter coverage moved from 53 per cent in 2020 to 67 per cent at the end of 2023.

“We installed more than 55,000 meters to consumers, and this has helped tremendously to increase water conservation and reduce non-revenue water,” the minister said.

Additionally, more than 60 wells were drilled with a significant portion located in the hinterland and riverain communities, while tenders are out for the construction of water-treatment plants in several regions.

“We have started the construction of seven new water-treatment plants. Tenders for the construction of new water-treatment plants at Maria’s Delight, Wakenaam, Leguan, Bath Settlement and Adventure are out. This massive intervention will provide more than 60,000 improved water quality that meets WHO’s [World Health Organisation’s] guidelines and reduce water losses in these areas,” Croal said.

With these works, Guyana, he said, is well on its way to achieving a 99 per cent population access to potable water supply by the end 2025.

“We are committed to achieving increased access to potable water supply in the hinterland and riverain communities by the end of 2025. Achieving this target will produce the desired impact and outcomes at the national level.”

In the 2024 fiscal package, some $22.5 billion is budgeted for further advancements of water and sanitation projects.

“The successes we have had in Housing and Water far outweigh the challenges that have come up. We are confident that like before, we will be excellent stewards of our budgetary allocation and that we will continue to make the dreams of owning homes by our citizens come true, “he added.