Govt working to address high level of water wastage – Min Croal

– upgrades of plants in Regs 3 & 4 to commence soon

The Housing and Water Ministry is aiming to have better accountability for the usage of water countrywide, amid a high level of wastage recorded by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal explained on Thursday that the East Bank has been recording the highest number of breakages due to developmental works, adding to the water wasting issue.
It is one of three areas being looked at to better manage the water sector and adequately provide services, especially across the coastal belt.
“We still do have a high level of wastage and with that, we have been trying to manage some of the development on the East Bank because, in terms of cluster area, the highest number of breakages we have is on the East Bank. That is why there is so much disruption on the East Bank because invariably, many times it is because we have breakage as a result of an excavator or a contractor working in a particular area,” the Minister revealed.
He added that this week, Cabinet gave its no objection to the upgrades of a number of plants, especially targeting the East Bank, East Coast, and a portion in Region Three.
Minister Croal further pointed out that along with focusing on expanding services, they are looking to ensure that treated water is a priority.
“While initially, the focus has always been to put more wells, expand distribution networks, raise the pressure or level of service to households, equally lagging far behind was the aspect of non-treated water.”
Added to this, Government is soon to reach its 25,000-house lot allocation mark, meaning the demand will continue to grow. In light of this, budgetary resources are increasing every year to put new systems in place.
“By midpoint in this five year, we are expected to be somewhere close to our 25,000 allocations. It means that the capacity and the demand for water will also grow. That is why you see increased budgetary resources being placed within the capital programme to ensure we have new wells, and new systems, and buy new materials. Because one of the areas they have also improved on is with respect to dealing with wastages, and reducing non-revenue water,” the Housing and Water Minister outlined.
In mid-2022, supplementary funds to the tune of $21 billion for the Housing and Water Ministry were requested and of that amount, $15.9 billion were to facilitate infrastructural works in new and existing housing areas.
The remaining sum was for works in the water supply sector including the completion of water supply interventions in hinterland areas, and resources to increase treated water coverage through the construction and upgrading of water treatment plants as well as improving and expanding water supply systems in underserved and unserved areas. Monies were listed too for the replacement of ageing and deteriorated pipelines in Georgetown along with the upgrading of the water treatment plants in Linden and the drilling of wells. (Rupa Seenaraine)