project is currently 80 per cent complete

MINISTER within the Ministry of Housing & Water, Susan Rodrigues, along with Member of Parliament, Faizal Jaffarally and Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) Regional Manager, Heralall Darsan, on Tuesday, visited the Cotton Tree water treatment plant in Region Five to evaluate the ongoing upgrade works.
Following their inspection, Minister Rodrigues announced that the project 80 per cent complete and was on track for completion by the end of the year.
“We are investing just over $400 million in the upgrade of this water treatment plant, which is all part of our larger objective of ensuring that, by 2025, we provide 90 per cent treated water coverage to the coastland,” she stated.

The Minister emphasised GWI’s strategic plan for Region Five, which aims to deliver 100 per cent treated water to the coastland. The plan includes the ongoing upgrades at the Cotton Tree facility, expansion of transmission and distribution lines, and the construction of a new $2 billion water treatment plant at Bath.
The construction of the new facility, funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), is set to begin soon, with an 18-month timeline for completion. It is expected to serve approximately 43 per cent of the region’s population. Additionally, the strategic plan includes the installation of small water treatment systems (inline filters) in about eight communities, including Ithaca, De Hoop, and Strath Campbell.
During her visit, Minister Rodrigues also stopped by GWI’s Regional Office at Fort Wellington, where she engaged with both staff and customers. Opened in 2022, this office has significantly enhanced GWI’s operational capacity and improved the working environment. The Minister praised the staff for their commitment to enhancing the region’s water supply and encouraged them to continuously improve service efficiency.
Furthermore, Minister Rodrigues inspected the construction of the new Regional Housing Office located within the GWI compound. This new facility aims to expand the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s (CH&PA) operational capacity, as the agency is currently housed in an office within the Regional Democratic Council compound, making the new office a crucial upgrade for their operations.
Minister Rodrigues’ visit underscores the government’s commitment to improving water treatment and delivery systems across Guyana, ensuring that communities have access to safe and reliable water services.