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Regulator to rule on GWI’s rates hike application after April 30
from recent public hearings.
recent public hearings.
The public hearings into an application by the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) to increase rates for several categories of customers, wrapped up yesterday.
The general public and the consumer affairs bodies now have until April 30, 2018, to submit recommendations for the proposal of change of rates to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
Consumer advocates and others have demanded GWI submit its financial statements before even contemplating taking a decision to review the application.
GWI is insisting that its plan to improve service, including quality, will hinge on an increase in revenues. Those revenues will have to come from a hike in the rates, which have not been raised in more than a decade.
A bone of contention was that GWI has hundreds of millions owed to it and cannot collect.
GWI, in its defence, claims that it is barred from collecting beyond a certain number of years.
Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles divulged plans that are on stream for the advancement of services offered by the utility. This includes ensuring closer collaboration with the Ministry of Communities, Department of Housing, to equip new schemes with an adequate water supply.
He also indicated that as the customer base increases, GWI will be aiming for 100 percent metering, even as it works to overcome obstacles with procurement.
Addressing concerns of the cost for water in areas with treatment plants, as against those without, the Managing Director stated that in both instances, monies are invested in either chemicals for treatment or filters and infrastructure.
In Essequibo, for example, large sums of money are being invested in the importation and implementation of a chemical called SeaQuest to reduce the presence of iron in water.
This is also being implemented at a number of other pumping stations across the country. The Managing Director pointed out that the water provided by the utility is microbiologically safe and therefore the change of rates being requested will help to cushion the cost for improved water quality.
“When we look at the cost, that bottle of water in front of you on the market is $100 with a volume of 100ML, GWI’s cost for 220 gallons is $64 and many people will purchase that 100ML for $100,” Dr. Van West-Charles reasoned.
He stressed that GWI needs to maintain its network to ensure a sustainable supply to customers, and that requires finances.
He emphasised that GWI is merely asking for $500 from each customer for the maintenance of its system and to assist in addressing leaks in a timely manner.
GWI’s goal is to guarantee a good product that is acceptable to all customers, thus ensuring them their money’s worth.
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