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GWI unearths 100 illegal water connections
– as clamp down on meter tampering intensifies
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has been able to identify more than 100 persons that either have illegal connections or have tampered with their water meters.
The identification of these persons, Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, said comes as part of GWI’s campaign to put an end to the unscrupulous activity which is especially prevalent in the squatting areas.
According to the Minister, GWI will be working closely with the police who will bring charges against such persons.
The situation is also expected to be addressed with some 10,000 water meters and boxes that will be procured this year, as part of GWI’s quest to reduce non-revenue water and to improve efficiency and transparency in the system.
Minister Irfaan Ali (right) consults with GWI Chief Executive (ag) Yuri Chandisingh
Minister Ali noted that the implements will serve to facilitate the GWI metering programme, which represents one of the measures detailed in the government’s strategic plan to improve the delivery of water to customers.
Accordingly, the Minister disclosed that the Government is funding the intervention, which is expected to cost about $139M. The contract for the intervention has been awarded to Universal Trading and Engineering Corporation, he disclosed.
Approximately 10,000 people along the Essequibo Coast, West Coast Demerara, West Bank Demerara and the West and East Berbice, will benefit from this venture, the Minister said.
Additionally, he revealed that the Agricola Trunk Main Project has been extended to include the installation of approximately 40 meters of transmission main, in excess of 15 interconnections and 10 trench crossings along the Central Ruimveldt and Eccles Water Treatment Plant.
“This project will interconnect the two service centres to serve the population, and will improve efficiency and effectiveness and more than 50,000 customers will benefit from this intervention which is valued at $53M.”
Acting Chief Executive of GWI, Yuri Chandisingh, emphasised the notion that Government is spending a tremendous amount of funds to upgrade water services throughout the length and breadth of the country.
With specific reference to Linden, he highlighted that a number of projects are ongoing. Among those that are nearing completion are transmission lines, service upgrades and distribution installations, which will benefit areas such as Amelia’s Ward, where the Central Housing and Planning Authority has constructed a substantial housing development.
“Those areas in a matter of months will benefit from improve services which is valued well over $260M,” Chandisingh said.
According to Chandisingh, it is anticipated that the interventions will result in the decommissioning of at least one of the five treatment plants in Linden, thus, reducing GWI’s operational cost.
Chandisingh disclosed that similar interventions have also been introduced in Region Six.
The Chief Executive Officer further pointed out that metering is crucial in all areas, as it will enable customers to be cognisant of their meter usage pattern.
“They will be conscious of conservation and know that once they turn their taps off, their neighbours could get a better service.”
Areas that have benefited so far, Chandisingh said, include Crab Wood Creek and Black Bush Polder.
He added that those residents are enjoying a much improved service. The senior officer disclosed that prior to the improvement of the system, customers were only receiving water in sections of delivery, but now are getting a continuous service.
“We had an outreach there a matter of weeks ago, where a team from GWI visited customers and we spoke to them about water conservation. Once these capital interventions have been implemented, it is imperative that we maintain the investment via conservation. Customers have to understand that they must conserve and also they must not tamper with our meters and other pertinences,” Chandisingh noted.
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