Latest update September 11th, 2026 10:26 AM
Illegal water connections endanger health – GWI
After illegal service connections were found in Sarah Johanna, East Bank Demerara, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali emphatically stated, “GWI has a no tolerance policy for persons who refuse to regularize their service. Illegal connections endanger the health of our customers and we will seek legal penalties for those who continue to break the law.”
According to Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), there are severe health risks that emerge with the installation of illegal water service connections; they include nausea, lung irritation, skin rash, vomiting, dizziness, and even death. The illegal connections found at Sarah Johanna were submerged in a trench containing sewage from a leaking latrine.
Water contamination would not only affect those who use the water from the illegal connections, but if sewage were to leak into the pipelines the entire community could possibly be affected and there would be a mass health risk as stated by GWI’s Director of Operations, Joseph Codette. He further urged that residents of other communities not indulge in illegal water service connections – not for the sake of GWI, but for the general health of the people.
Minister Ali stated that the cost for a new service connection is $1000 and is at such a low price because it is highly subsidized by the Government. He is encouraging people to participate in the new service connection and not indulge in dangerous illegal activities.
According to GWI, the Sarah Johanna residents with illegal connections were issued warnings and the connections were removed. Persons seeking to regularize their service can visit any GWI location or contact GWI’s Customer Service Call Centre.
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