Over 20,000 GWI EBD consumers to benefit from improved water service
Over 22,000 consumers residing along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) will benefit from an improved level of service and supply of quality water by the end of 2021.
This assurance was given by Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, who visited a number of areas along the East Bank of Demerara on Friday to assess the water service provided by the Guyana Water Incorporated.
The Minister was accompanied by Chief Executive Officer of GWI Shaik Baksh and a number of technical officials.
During the visit, Minister Croal explained that GWI is working to rehabilitate some of the water supply systems that were neglected over the years. This, he said, would address the water quality concerns of the residents in the affected areas.
GWI’s Head of Technical Services Lensworth Blair explains the plans for the Covent Garden plant to Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal
The team visited the Grove and Covent Garden Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), the proposed sites for the drilling of new wells in Prospect and Providence and also interacted with residents of Kaneville and Grove.
The residents reported that they have already seen some improvements in their level of service but raised concerns with respect to the high iron content in the water.
Troy Sergeant, a resident of Kaneville, expressed his elation upon seeing the officials in the area, noting that such visits are welcomed. He noted that while he has seen an improvement in the water pressure, the iron content in the water has to be addressed.
During their tour of the Grove and Covent Garden WTPs, Baksh explained that the aeration/filtration system which forms part of the water treatment process, is no longer effective since it has deteriorated over the years, resulting in the high iron content in the water.
Minister Collin Croal and GWI CEO Shaik Baksh interact with Kaneville resident, Troy Sergeant (on bicycle)
As such, the filters at the facility are being modified to facilitate the introduction of a higher concentration of Manganese Dioxide filter media. Manganese Dioxide is a naturally occurring ore that performs the dual function of oxidising iron and filtering it out of the water.
Previously, Manganese of lesser concentration was used but this required periodic regeneration (chemical treatment), which did not prove sustainable to upkeep. With this innovation in water quality at GWI, customers will benefit from clearer and cleaner water through their taps.
GWI is in the process of procuring the Manganese Dioxide at a tune of $25 million per plant (a total of $50 million), which is being funded through the Government of Guyana’s budgetary allocation. Following its procurement, it will be set up by GWI’s in-house staff. This is expected to sustain the treatment system for a period of 10 years.
Baksh anticipates that customers will be able to benefit from this project within the next two to three months. Only recently, the said treatment process was implemented in Eccles.
The GWI CEO noted that the utility company is in support of the Ministry’s ongoing housing drive and will work to ensure the requisite infrastructure is in place to adequately supply new and existing housing schemes.
