New pre-feasibility study to be conducted for wastewater treatment plant in GT – Min Croal

A new pre-feasibility study will soon be undertaken on the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Georgetown, according to Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal.
This initiative is part of the Guyana Government’s strategic plan to modernise the country’s sewage and wastewater infrastructure.
Last week, Minister Croal told reporters at the Ministry’s closing press conference for 2023 that his Ministry will be focusing on this new treatment plant as part of its 2024 work plan.

A study for the wastewater treatment plant had already been conducted in the past, but according to the Housing and Water Minister, this needs to be updated.
“We’re now going to be embarking on an updated pre-feasibility study. We had one but obviously, the population increased and the demographics [changed] and new infrastructure is in place. We are going to be embarking on an updated pre-feasibility study for the implementation of, first, our pilot wastewater treatment plant for here in Georgetown,” Croal indicated.
The Minister had first announced plans for the construction of the treatment plant to address the country’s wastewater management back in October 2023 at the opening of the 32nd Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) Conference and Exhibition which was held in Georgetown.
During his remarks, Croal pointed out that wastewater management is often overlooked, yet it is a crucial aspect of environmental responsibility.
According to the Minister, inefficient wastewater treatment can harm both the environment and public health.
“We must invest in modern, eco-friendly, wastewater treatment facilities to reduce pollution, safeguard the aquatic ecosystems and recycle water where possible,” he had stated.

In Guyana, the Georgetown sewage water system is one of four sewage systems in the country and the largest, serving over 9000 connected households. This system represents 22.8 per cent of the capital city’s population and 3.6 per cent of the national population.
In recent years, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has made significant advancements in sanitation and infrastructure across various villages and hinterland regions.
Guyana is benefitting from the CReW+ Project, aimed at enhancing water quality and sanitation through innovative solutions and financing mechanisms. One focus is upgrading the sewage network and building a biodigester in Kwakwani, benefitting 2500 residents and improving wastewater management.
Back in 2021, GWI announced the piloting of a wastewater treatment plant at the Tucville sewer station.
The project will allow the company, which operates and maintains the Georgetown and Tucville sewage systems, to assess the suitability and removal efficiency of the selected treatment processes. These treatment processes are eco-friendly and allow for water, nutrient, and energy recovery.
Minister Croal explained last week that the establishment of this wastewater treatment plant coupled with all the other initiatives undertaken by the Guyana Government are “geared to the reduction of poverty, unemployment [and] remove inequality.”
Over the past three years, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has expended over $26 billion in the water sector and while these are aimed at achieving 90 per cent access to treated water by 2025 nationally, it also places Guyana on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, that is, ensure access to water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Among the investments made is the construction of seven new treatment plants that are underway, another five that are being tendered for as well as the upgrading of existing plants and new filter systems.
Moreover, the Government has completed seven new wells since 2020 to the tune of $7 million. Additionally, 14 other wells are being drilled on the coastland – another $1.4 billion investment. Over the next year and a half, 24 other new wells are on the cards for the coastland.
These interventions, along with other interventions including in the hinterland, will see Guyana achieving 90 per cent access to treated water by 2025. Currently, this figure is at 55 per cent, a mere 3 per cent growth over the past three years under PPP/C Administration.
But the Housing and Water Minister pointed out that the real progress by his Government will be seen in the first half of this year through major upgrades to the water system.
“So that’s why I asked for patience by our residents, villagers and homeowners because we have already set on stream, the investment that is required to bring the level of satisfactory service that we all desire,” Croal posited during last week’s press conference.
Meanwhile, the Government’s investment in the water sector has provided access to more than 35,000 citizens across the country within the last three years. Access to potable water currently stands at 97.3 per cent.
Additionally, more than 435 households along the coast benefited last year from first-time access in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
With regards to the hinterland, access to potable water supply moved from 75 per cent at the end of 2022 to 82 per cent at the end of 2023, with the construction of over 60 new wells. (G-8)