Works ongoing at the intersection of Brickdam and Avenue of the Republic
Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is spending $1 billion to upgrade Georgetown’s aging pipe infrastructure, aiming to enhance service levels and improve water quality for its customers.
On Wednesday, the utility company announced that it is commencing works to replace the water distribution network from Hadfield Street to Bank of Guyana.
The scope of work includes the drilling of main access road, removal of aged Cast Iron and Asbestos Cement pipes, the installation of new Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, which present a much lesser chance of encrustation.
Addressing the media, GWI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaik Baksh explained that the cast iron pipes in the capital city have become encrusted over decades and have exceeded their lifespan.
In addition to releasing high iron content, he said GWI is constantly conducting repairs in several areas because the pipes can no longer withstand heavy traffic load.
“Overall, in Georgetown we have the transmission lines and distribution lines and some of them are over 100 years old. At this point in time a lot of the lines are breaking, leaking, and collapsing. We have at GWI for the last month in this location alone we have had to come here five times because as we repair the lines and with the heavy traffic passing through what is happening is that it’s creating further leakages because of the age of the line,” the CEO explained.
Over the years, residents living in and around Georgetown have complained about low water pressure at various times during the day and night.
Baksh highlighted that with the replacement of the aged mains there will be an improved level of service and water quality.
On this point, he implored residents and businesses in the area to comply with the contractor executing the project, noting that a team has committed to working from 7pm at night to 5am in the morning to cater for fewer water disruption.
“It’s a massive programme which will cause disruption- we are working continuously to ensure minimum disruption and we are doing widespread consultation. Already we have called in and had consultations with the city council, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Police Traffic department, Minibus Union and also with GTT, GPL and so on,” he added.
The replacement of the aged mains form part of GWI’s five-year Strategic Plan for 2021-2025.
Thus far, replacement works have been successfully executed along Vlissengen Road, Church Street, in Albouystown and on Sheriff Street.
Baksh said similar project will be undertaken soon following the provision of resources from government.
“Right now, we have five other projects going on for the distribution because they are very old pipelines too there and we have contractors working on those and as soon as those are completed, we will do another 15 projects across the city”. (G1)
