THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is reminding the general public that tampering with its infrastructure is punishable by law.

According to a release from the utility company, the reminder comes in light of a recent discovery that a water company, Arctic Waters, has been filling its 10,000 gallon (approximately) capacity truck with water from a fire hydrant for sale to its customers.
It said officials from GWI, on Saturday, 6th June, 2020 witnessed Arctic Waters company doing so from a fire hydrant located in Garnett Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

“Arctic Waters, in committing such action, has evaded paying some $6,750 per tank of water and the utility will be taking strict actions against them for this illegal activity,” GWI said.

“GWI also takes this opportunity to condemn the actions of rogue officers within the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) who seek to condone and assist in such activities, as was also witnessed by officials from the utility,” the release said.

It noted that fire hydrants exist only for use in the event of a fire and emergency cases where GWI sees fit based on its own assessment.

The utility said tampering with its infrastructure attracts a fine of $30,000 for residential customers and $65,000 for non-residential customers.