GWI reportedly dumped sewage in Sussex Street canal

– Guyana Times reporter physically removed from site

In what may be deemed as another impropriety on its behalf, workers of the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) were discovered transferring what appeared to be raw sewage from mains in Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, into the canal.
On Sunday about 12:30h Guyana Times received reports of what GWI workers were reportedly carrying out. Residents were said to be very concerned about their health and as such rejected the works.
When this publication arrived on the scene some 10 minutes later, it was evident that works were ongoing as GWI had cordoned off a section of Hunter and Sussex Streets. Further the canal appeared to be discoloured around that section where the hose was placed.

Residents related that the workers quickly removed the hose being used to allegedly transfer the raw waste into the Sussex Street Canal after a reporter from another publication had left the scene.
However, when Guyana Times attempted to investigate the allegations, and to take photographs of the scene, a male individual who had no identification made inquiries and demanded to know what the reporter was doing there.
When the reporter provided explanations and identified the newspaper, the worker then instructed: “Okay, move back, this is a worksite.”
When the reporter obliged to this request and attempted to snap images from some distance, the man became visibly annoyed, walked over and ordered the reporter to remove, thereafter he placed his hand on the reporter’s back, who was then physically removed from the area.

As the man was carrying out the physical assault, Guyana Times enquired about his name and if he had a supervisory role on the midday sewage project. He however quipped: “You don’t worry with all ah da…you [don’t have to know my] name.”
At this point, about three other workers wearing GWI badges opted not to intervene.
After the incident, Guyana Times contacted GWI Public Relations Officer Leana Bradshaw and informed her of the incident. She noted that in this instance, the worker “had no right” to remove the reporter who was carrying out the investigation.
When questioned over whether the works were water treatment or sewerage works, the PRO informed that she would make contact after follow-up inquiries were made. However, this publication was unsuccessful in making contact with Bradshaw up to press time.
This latest undertaking by GWI comes just one week after Guyana Times reported that the entity had begun using the chemical Antinfek to treat its water being distributed to residents in Diamond, Soesdyke and Bartica. This chemical is said to be dangerous to health and was refused to be used by Haiti.
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC), had issued that GWI halt the use of this chemical but the water entity lamely justified the chemical’s use, arguing that it was found that the residual concentration of chlorine has a short life span, thus it does not protect the water from re-contamination during prolonged storage.