“Baseless and misleading” – GWI on APNU’s “water crisis” claims

 …says with over $65B spent, over 350,000 residents benefiting – no “national water crisis”

With more than $65 billion invested in Guyana’s water sector over the past five years, benefiting over 350,000 residents, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) on Friday rejected claims by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) of a “national water crisis” as baseless and misleading, citing the substantial scale of recent investments.
In a statement, GWI reminded that goals achieved over the past five years included the increasing of the coverage of treated water to 75 per cent and a massive increase in the provision of potable water to hinterland residents.
“Within the last five years, the Government of Guyana, through the Guyana Water Incorporated, invested approximately GY$65 billion to upgrade and expand potable water supply across the country in both coastal and hinterland regions, with over 350,000 beneficiaries. These projects are directly improving water quality, reliability and service delivery to the population and impacting on the livelihoods and quality of life of our people,” GWI noted.
The company urged that stakeholders, including political actors, engage in responsible, evidence-based discourse, noting that “false narratives only undermine public trust and distract from the collective goal of delivering improved water services to all Guyanese.”
It was during the APNU’s weekly press conference on Friday that Chairman of the party, Aubrey Norton, read a prepared statement that claimed an “emergence of a National Water Crisis” that is negatively impacting essential services.
The GWI refuted these claims, noting that the APNU statement lacked specificity and failed to acknowledge the unprecedented levels of investment and development in the water sector over the last five years.
“The support of the Government coupled with the technical expertise of the management of GWI will ensure that water sector development continues to be improved across the country, including a high level of quality and service in all regions,” GWI said.
Moreover, GWI noted that there have been widespread and significant improvements in GWI’s current performance when compared with the situation that occurred when APNU was in Government.
“While the APNU+AFC Coalition occupied Government during the period 2015-2020, the water sector was in fact in that crisis state that they now seek to mention. The Guyana Water Incorporated was bankrupt and on the verge of collapse. Treated water coverage stood at a meagre 52 per cent compared to 75 per cent in 2025 and will reach 90 per cent by the end of 2026. Under the APNU Government, access to Hinterland water was at 46 per cent and is now at 91 per cent. Only 21 wells were drilled compared to 153 wells drilled between the period 2021-2025,” the statement noted.
“GWI has already completed the operationalisation of seven new water treatment plants in Caledonia, New Cummings Lodge, Onderneeming, Parika, La Parfaite Harmonie, Wales, and Bachelor’s Adventure. Works have already advanced for five new treatment plants that will be built in Maria’s Delight, Wakenaam, Leguan, Bath and Adventure. Plans are already underway for three additional surface water treatment plants in Diamond, Bartica and Hope. These treatment plants will continue to play a tremendous role in the treated water coverage and ensure that each resident has access to water which is safe for consumption.”
And while the utility company acknowledged that it is aware of occasional service interruptions that occur for a number of reasons, including ongoing construction, third-party damage, or temporary power disruptions, “[t]he company maintains an active response mechanism to swiftly address reports,” GWI said.