Latest update February 6th, 2025 7:27 AM
GWI produces more water than needed – Ali
Minister Irfaan Ali, centre, receives educational materials to be used during a workshop for school children in observance of World Water Day. The Head Teacher and students of the St Sidwell’s Primary School are at right, while at left are GWI Chief Executive Yuri Chandisingh and WWF Country Manager Dr Patrick Williams.
Guyana’s gross per capita production of water exceeds 400 litres per day, a figure which is far greater than most developing countries and on par with even the most developed nations of the world, Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, said yesterday as Guyana prepares to mark World Water Day.
The fact that Guyana is producing more water than is required is not unexpected, the Minister stated. This is clearly seen when one takes into consideration the losses which exist on the distribution networks and wastage on the part of some customers, he said.
Ali said that the government’s investment strategy for the water sector acknowledges both poor infrastructure and water wastage and seeks not only to improve the integrity of the infrastructure but also promote conservation and responsible use of water through revenue metering.
The reality has been that the provision or revenue metering infrastructure yields substantial benefits to the performance of the system by simply providing the impetus of conservation, Ali said.
He boasted that many of the success stories that have unfolded were based on this concept and points to equity in the provision of service, fair exchange between satisfactory levels of service, conservation and ultimately value.
He said that this principle could be seen especially in the government’s hinterland strategy.
The programme, as it stands today, will canvas all corners of the hinterland and will see investments ranging from the installation of solar photovoltaic pumping systems in areas such as Surama, Toka and Tiger Pond to the construction of deep wells in areas such as Sand Hills, Kimbia, Aishalton and Karasabi.
“The programme, both through the direct provision of infrastructure, capacity building, public education and improved operational practices will realise benefits to over 40 communities of the Hinterland region,” Ali stated.
Ali spoke at an event organised by Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) in collaboration with World Wildlife Fund Guianas and the Environmental Protection Agency. The event served to launch a five-day workshop being held by GWI in partnership with the two entities for primary school children, ages 7-9.
The workshop which will commence on World Water Day, March 22, is being described by GWI’s Chief Executive, Yuri Chandisingh, as the best forum to create more awareness about the great strides being made by the company to improve water quality.
“We find that children are the best group to spread our message,” he said, “and while GWI has taken great steps to improve water quality, including the creation of several new iron removal plants, customers have a large part to play in ensuring that the water they consume is safe.”
Commenting on the 2010 World Water Day theme, “Clean Water for a Healthy World,” Chandisingh noted that “GWI regularly tests all of its production sites to ensure that water leaving our well stations and treatment plants is safe. However, customers must ensure that they practice proper hygiene to avoid contamination.”
He further stated that this year’s World Water Day theme is quite timely since GWI has stepped up its Education programme to foster awareness about the need for customers to practice basic water safety measures such as consistently cleaning containers used for storage including black tanks, buckets and drums.
“Leaks also compromise water quality,” Chandisingh stated. “Customers must partner with GWI to ensure that leaks are reported and repaired promptly to avoid contaminated water.”
The five-day workshop is an extension of GWI’s ongoing “H2O Kidz n’ Action” School Programme, and will involve students of St. Gabriel’s Primary, St. Agnes, St. Sidwell’s, Stella Maris and North Georgetown Primary.
At the ceremony, Country Manager of the World Wildlife Fund, Dr. Patrick Williams, officially presented Minister Ali with the entity’s contribution to the workshop which included educational materials, tokens and prizes.
The EPA will also aid in the workshop in the form of special presentations focused on water and the environment. GWI aims to utilise the upcoming workshop to further increase awareness about the on-going El Nino crisis, which continues to deplete sources of water supply utilised by the entity.
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