RESIDENTS of Lima and surrounding communities in Region Two now have greater access to safe and affordable drinking water following the official opening of the Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) new bottle refilling station on Tuesday.
The facility, which was officially opened during an afternoon ceremony attended by residents, community leaders and other stakeholders, forms part of GWI’s nationwide initiative to make potable water more accessible and affordable to citizens.
The Lima station is fully operational and equipped with modern infrastructure to provide residents with high-quality drinking water at a nominal cost of $100 for a five-gallon bottle.
Speaking at the event, GWI Arrears Recovery Manager, Nicholas Dawalat, said the Lima facility is among several bottle refilling stations being established across the country as the utility company continues to expand access to potable water.
He explained that locations for the stations were carefully selected based on factors including the quality of water produced at nearby treatment plants, availability of adequate space and accessibility to residents.
The Lima station is directly linked to the Lima Water Treatment Plant, ensuring that the water supplied to the public comes from a properly treated source.
Dawalat said water quality testing is conducted regularly to ensure that the water remains safe, clean and suitable for consumption.
GWI Regional Manager for Essequibo, Brionne Gangaram, also assured residents that the water supplied through the facility meets and exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) standards for drinking water.
“It is safe to consume. It is properly treated,” Gangaram affirmed.
GWI Revenue Manager at Anna Regina, Emeline Dhanoopdarie, said the Lima Bottle Refilling Station will operate daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., giving residents convenient access to affordable drinking water.
The Lima opening follows GWI’s recent reopening of its Pouderoyen Bottle Refilling Station, as the company continues its efforts to expand the programme across the country.
Similar facilities are being established in communities including Vergenoegen and Wales in Region Three; Grove and Caledonia, Mon Repos and Bachelors Adventure, Vlissengen Road and Mandela Avenue in Region Four; Cotton Tree in Region Five; Sheet Anchor, Port Mourant and Queenstown in Region Six; Central Bartica in Region Seven; and Amelia’s Ward in Region Ten.
The expansion of the bottle refilling programme is expected to provide households and small businesses with a reliable and more affordable option for accessing potable water.
GWI said it remains committed to improving water service delivery and expanding the initiative to additional communities in the coming months.
“We are very happy for this, it will afford us cheaper refills and it’s a convenient great initiative by the Government of Guyana” Meena Narine said.
