GWI leading studies for potential surface water sources – CEO

Lifting its dependency on only groundwater to supply the population, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has embarked on studies across several locations to examine potential sources of surface water.
Chief Executive Officer of GWI, Shaik Baksh communicated at a recent press conference that the company is equipping itself to utilise a blend of water sources. This is also in keeping with its revisioning of operations to address climate adaptation.
“GWI has already geared itself up to take on the challenges that will confront the sector in the coming months and years. We have embarked on a re-envisioning of GWI because only by doing so, would we be able to meet these challenges and contribute to the overall economic programme of the government of Guyana and this economic take off.”
Baksh added, “We are promoting integrated water resources management. We have set up a unit at GWI to look at water resources, including integrated water resources management and climate adaptation issues…To ensure that there is a balance going forward between groundwater supplies through the aquifers and surface water, we’re doing a lot of studies on surface water.”
Areas under study include the East Demerara Conservancy, the Boeraserie Creek, and Five Miles stream in Bartica. These efforts are in collaboration with the hydrometeorological office, to determine whether these can be viable sources of water in the coming years.
The Dakoura Creek in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has been identified as a potential source of water to supply the township of Linden.
“We have embarked on a study of that source. It’s already a very good water supply, minimum treatment of that water, which has already been supplied to residents through the Wisroc plant. Only chlorination is required, so it reduces our operation costs for chemicals and electricity also,” the CEO reported.
GWI has 135 wells that are currently functioning as the major suppliers of potable water.  Government has set clear objectives to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Six: water and sanitation for all by 2030. These include increasing potable water coverage to 100 per cent by 2025 and increasing treated water coverage.
In Guyana, groundwater from the coastal aquifer system provides about 90 per cent of the domestic water for the country. In March, the Environmental Protection Agency had highlighted that since groundwater is the most accessed source of freshwater around the world, including for drinking, irrigation, and manufacturing, citizens have to ensure that waterways are kept clean and safe.
Meanwhile, in widening access, the water company has already mapped out its network to service new areas being developed for housing. On the East Bank of Demerara, there will be an interconnected system from Diamond coming down to Eccles.
“We have already mapped out what transmission lines are needed to service the new housing areas. You have to have distribution lines and transmission systems. We already know where the transmission lines [will be placed] and what is the source to service these transmission lines,” Baksh explained. (G12)