THE Ministry of Housing and Water has secured a significant $12 billion contract for the construction of five large water treatment tanks at various plants, with funding provided by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). This initiative is part of the second phase of the Coastal Water Treatment Programme, which spans from 2021 to 2025. Work on this ambitious project is set to commence this month.
Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, announced that the government aims to achieve 90 per cent treated water coverage along the coastline by the end of 2025.
“By the end of 2025, we will be able to serve 676,582 beneficiaries, which will include the total population being served by our water treatment plants,” Rodrigues stated. Since 2020, the number of water treatment plants has increased from 28 to 54, reflecting a substantial investment in water infrastructure.

The first component of the programme includes the construction of seven new large water treatment plants, all of which are currently under construction and nearing completion. The communities benefitting from these facilities include Onderneeming in Region Two, which will serve 18,880 residents, and Parfait Harmony in Region Three, set to benefit 35,964 residents. Other areas, such as Parika, Wales, Caledonia, Bachelor’s Adventure, and Cummings Lodge, are also expected to see improvements in water quality, with a total of 139,872 beneficiaries from these new plants.
Additionally, Minister Rodrigues highlighted the second component of the programme, which involves upgrading 12 existing water treatment plants. These upgrades are also nearing completion, with a total of 34,840 beneficiaries anticipated once the enhancements at locations such as Fellowship, Pouderoyen, and Better Hope are finalised.

The minister further elaborated on the installation of over 200 kilometres of new transmission lines, expected to be completed by June. Alongside this, the government is constructing 18 small iron removal plants across Regions Two, Four, Five, and Six, which will benefit 75,576 residents.
“These small iron treatment plants and the new water treatment plants are currently in the testing phase, with large plants expected to be fully operational by March 2025,” Minister Rodrigues confirmed. She also reassured the public regarding ongoing complaints about water quality in the coastal regions, stating that significant improvements are on the horizon.

Rodrigues emphasised that residents will soon see the results of the extensive investments and projects undertaken by the Ministry over the past four years. “When they start to see clean water flowing through their taps, the days of receiving water with iron content will be permanently over,” she assured.
This proactive approach by the Ministry of Housing and Water reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Guyanese citizens through improved access to clean and safe drinking water.