BOASTING the capacity to treat over 7000 litres of water daily and servicing over 14,000 residents, a new water treatment plant was commissioned on Wednesday at Parika, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
Speaking to hundreds of residents and stakeholders, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, during a ceremonial address, disclosed that over $8.8 billion has been expended in the region to improve water services.
“In water alone, we’ve invested in this region more than $8.8 billion, bringing benefit to more than 89,000 residents. We have constructed water treatment plants in neighboring Wales, Parfaite Harmonie; new plants are being constructed in Wakenaam and Leguan, and there are three major water treatment upgrades in Vergenoegen, Fellowship, and Pouderoyen,” Dr. Ali noted.
He added, “We are now doing evaluations of the groundwater potential and the performance of our aquifers because, you know, aquifers must inform us on our capacity and capability to meet the future demand.”
He explained that based on the expansive growth and multi-dimensional nature of the demand, the government will look to invest heavily in ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is built so that there is network modernisation and expansion.
“We have industrial demand expanding, manufacturing, commercial demand expanding and household demand expanding. And we are not, as yet, at a stage in our water development where we can have industrial water, agricultural water, and also potable water.”
MORE AGILE, MORE REACTIVE
To further enhance its capability, the government will also look to boost the capacity of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), making it more agile and reactive to ensure that citizens across the country have access to a clean water supply.
“The present structure of the organisation requires reorganisation,” President Ali said, noting that GWI will be required to work at a faster pace.
The government, he noted, will be doing an evaluation to harness the region’s fresh water to build its capacity to service the growing demand.
“There’s a comprehensive strategy for the water sector, but in this region, we have great potential in terms of fresh water that we adopted, whether it’s from the conservancy or other areas.”
“I’ve asked the minister of housing and water to explore the possibility of putting at least one such facility where we can harness the fresh water, treat it, and put it back in the system as high volume, at high quality capacity,” he added.
He noted that the government will be rolling out its integrated water resource management strategy.
“That strategy is aimed at integrating every source of water, because as our country continues to grow, there’ll be greater demand for industrial purposes, for agricultural purposes, and for manufacturing purposes. So, the strategy we’re pursuing is to give you the best quality water, but also to give our economy the water it needs to fuel the latest development.”
Meanwhile, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal noted that the project is part of a broader vision for inclusive development, with plans to achieve 100 per cent treated water access by 2025.
“Today, we turn the tap towards a better quality of life. Children, our children, therefore, will be able to grow up in a much healthy environment,” he said.
