President Irfaan Ali has underscored the critical role of water infrastructure in supporting Guyana’s economic transformation, declaring that “water is necessary for fuelling industrial and manufacturing growth,” as he commissioned the new $850 million Parika Water Treatment Plant in Region Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara).

According to the President, the state-of-the-art facility is part of a broader $8.8 billion investment into water infrastructure across Region Three, which President Ali said is key to enabling the industrial expansion, housing development, and agriculture that are reshaping the region’s economic landscape.
In his address, President Ali hailed the water treatment plant as a tangible example of the Government’s delivery on its promises to the Guyanese people. He linked access to clean and reliable water directly to economic expansion and the nation’s future prosperity.
“In water alone, 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 here in Parika, Wales, and Parfait Harmony. Two new plants are being constructed in Wakenaam and Leguan.”
“This is all part of what we call the Integrated Water Resource Management Strategy. IWRM. That strategy is aimed at integrating every source of water. Because as our country continues to grow, there will be greater demand for industrial purposes. For agricultural purposes. For manufacturing purposes. So, the strategy we are pursuing is to give you the best quality water. But also, to give our economy the water that is necessary to fuel the growth and development,” the President said.
The Head of State emphasised that the Government is already seeing a surge in industrial, commercial, and household water demand – driven by Guyana’s booming economy and fast-paced development in Region Three.

Aquifers and groundwater systems
To this end, President Ali announced that the Government has begun assessing the performance of Guyana’s aquifers and groundwater systems to ensure long-term supply, noting that the Ministry of Housing and Water must explore harnessing and recycling surface water, similar to the ongoing Hope Canal project, to increase availability.
“We are now doing an evaluation of the groundwater potential and the performance of our aquifers. Because, as you know, it is the aquifers that must inform us on our capacity and capability to meet future demands. So, we have come to an important decision based on the expansive growth and demand here in Region Three. Growth based on the multi-dimensional nature of the demand. Because we have industrial demand expanding, manufacturing demand expanding, 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. So, you find that for every aspect of national life, it is the same water that is being utilised.”
“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 at high volume capacity. So, this will be an important part of the strategy as we move forward,” he explained.

The Parika Water Treatment Plant
The Parika Water Treatment plant is a significant infrastructural project being undertaken by Toshiba Water Company. Toshiba Water Company is known for its expertise in water treatment solutions, and it is utilising its knowledge and experience to develop a facility that meets the highest standards of efficiency and effectiveness.
The primary objective of the plant is to provide clean and safe drinking water to a substantial population of over 15,000 customers, but for President Ali, the facility is only one component of a much larger transformation coming to Parika and its surroundings.
Outlining a bold five-year vision for the region, the President announced plans to construct cold storage units, a packaging facility, and agro-processing infrastructure to add value to local produce; develop a tourism terminal on the Essequibo River; and create a Government Service Hub with one-stop access to services from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Home Affairs, Agriculture, and other ministries – ending the need for long trips to Georgetown.