The Guyana Water Inc (GWI) has made an application to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to adjust its current service rates.
While listing a number of reasons for the proposal, the company indicated that the rates it was hoping to adjust include water tariffs, sewerage tariffs, and ancillary charges.
The GWI in its proposal noted that it was requesting the change of rates owing to the fact that it was still operating under the 2005 tariff regime. This regime consists of tariffs approved by two agencies which are now obsolete: the Guyana Water Authority and the Georgetown Sewerage and Water Commissioners.
Among the other reasons for the proposal, the utility company stated that there were instance s where domestic customers were required to pay a higher rate than commercial customers. Also, it highlighted that owing to a fairly low unmetered rate, customers were refusing to become metered, resulting in the inability of the utility to provide service at an adequate pressure.
Referencing international standards, the GWI has said that it was ready to implement a fixed charge. The fixed charge, which will be used to subsidise the cost of maintenance for GWI’s infrastructure, will also rule out the compulsory minimum consumption of 10 cubic metres and 15 cubic metres and allow for customers to only be billed on their consumption volume. If the proposal is accepted, consumers will now be billed for consumption plus the fixed charge, if their consumption is at zero they will only be billed for the fixed charge. The proposal also contains special provisions for pensioners; one of which stipulated that their fixed charge will be waived.
Similarly to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) approach for implementing garbage collection fees, the GWI will host a public hearing in order to receive feedback and suggestions from residents regarding the adjustment of their tariffs. The consultation will be held today, February 12 at 10:00h in the Woodbine room, Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown. All members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the hearing.
