$1.2B Onderneeming water treatment plant commissioned

…over 18,000 residents to benefit from clean, treated water

A state-of-the-art water treatment plant has been officially commissioned at Onderneeming Sand Pit in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), bringing clean, treated water to over 18000 residents.
The newly commissioned Onderneeming Water Treatment Plant was constructed by Toshiba Water Solutions Inc. at a tune of $1.2 billion dollars. The facility has the capacity to treat 10 million litres of water per day (MLD) and includes 35 km of transmission mains.

The commissioning was led by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who was joined by several top officials including Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) CEO Shaik Baksh, Communications Manager Travis Bruce, President of Toshiba Water Solutions America Inc. (Caribbean Region) Raj Kumar Kushwaha, Chairman of the Board Ramesh Dookhoo, and Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, among others.
Addressing residents and stakeholders at the ceremony, President Ali emphasized that the new facility is more than just a piece of infrastructure—it is a symbol of government’s belief in its people, and a manifestation of the investment in their dignity and honour.
He described water and its quality as an essential part of community development, and highlighted that the journey toward building a modern economy is one that focuses not only on numbers and growth, but on uplifting the lives of people in every community and region across Guyana.

President Ali stressed that true progress cannot be measured solely by developments in Georgetown, but by the extent to which even the most remote and underserved communities benefit. Whether in the coastland, the hinterland, or riverine island communities, real development must be felt by all.
President Ali also stated that improving water systems, roads, healthcare, and education are all part of a broader mission to eliminate geography as a barrier to opportunity. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no Guyanese is left behind, and that every citizen enjoys the benefits of national development.
He highlighted that this current stage of development is not the product of oil discoveries alone. Instead, it stems from a vision birthed in the 1990s, when many communities had no reliable access to water.
“It began in the 1990s when many communities had no access to reliable water supply, when many of our families, particularly in rural and hinterland communities, had to fetch water from trenches, creeks or buy it at great cost. It was in those days that a vision was born, a vision to bring water to every home in this country, not as a luxury, but as a right, a fundamental right. And it is that vision that we are honouring and fulfilling here today.” His Excellency noted.
The commissioning of the Onderneeming plant, he said, is the fulfilment of that long-standing vision—made possible through the efforts of successive People’s Progressive Party/Civic governments and the relentless work of countless individuals who have driven development in Region Two and across the country.
He went on to underscore the foundation of a modern Guyana as one built on robust social services including healthcare, education, housing, roads, and critically, access to clean water. He added that a country cannot call itself modern or prosperous if its people do not have access to such basic human necessities.
Further elaborating, President Ali explained that the government is not merely aiming for better water pressure or broader access—they are delivering water that is safe, clear, and drinkable. Water that transforms health outcomes and meets international standards set by the World Health Organization.
He acknowledged the inconvenience and health concerns caused by discoloured and iron-laden water, often identified by its reddish hue and metallic taste, and declared that such conditions must become a thing of the past. The government, he said, is investing heavily to ensure this transformation becomes reality.

Project Overview
The newly constructed treatment plant now serves over 18,000 residents across numerous villages, including Supenaam, Good Hope, Spring Garden, Good Intent, Aurora, Makeshift, Dryshore/Warousie, Hibernia, Fairfield, Vilvorden, Middlesex, Huis T’Dieren, Pomona, Riverstown, Airy Hall, Adventure, Red Village, Suddie, Maria’s Lodge, Johanna Cecilia, Land of Plenty, Three Friends, Columbia, and Affiance.
The transmission component was awarded in three lots, at a total cost of GYD $900 million to International Import and Supplies, Mohamed Ramzanali Construction, and NK Engineering Services. Two new wells were also drilled on-site by Morris Jeffrey and GWI’s Well Services team to supply the plant.
The facility is part of the wider Coastal Water Treatment Infrastructure Programme (CWTIP), a $40 billion GYD initiative by the Government of Guyana aimed at increasing treated water coverage along the coast to 90% by 2025.
GWI has completed seven large treatment plants, upgraded twelve others, and installed 200 km of transmission mains to improve water quality, continuity, and service levels in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Eighteen additional small treatment plants are under construction.
Residents are being encouraged to use the improved water supply responsibly and to report any leaks or faults on service connections or water mains to GWI for immediate attention.