…says five-gallon purified water refills at $100 will provide relief to households
(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has defended the Government’s investments in the company, stating that approximately 98.6 per cent of the population now has access to potable water, while maintaining that more work is needed to improve the quality and reliability of supplies.
In a statement responding to recent public commentary by Gordon Moseley on the state of the water sector and initiatives to make drinking water more affordable, GWI said assessments that overlook investments and infrastructure developments undertaken over the past several years risk presenting an incomplete picture of the progress being made.
The utility said that over the last five years, investments in water infrastructure, rehabilitation, network expansion and service improvements have been undertaken across all regions to improve access to safe and reliable potable water.
Chief Executive Officer of GWI, Shaik Baksh
It noted that these interventions were intended to meet growing demand arising from the Government’s housing programme, while extending services to previously underserved communities.
According to GWI, more than 200 wells have been drilled over the period, strengthening water production capacity and extending access to communities that previously experienced limited or inadequate supplies.
Additionally, more than 200 kilometres of transmission and distribution pipelines have been installed to improve connectivity, extend services to developing communities and strengthen delivery to historically underserved areas.
The utility also reported a significant increase in treated-water coverage, which has moved from approximately 52 per cent to around 80 per cent over the past five years.
It attributed this progress to investments aimed at moving beyond simply providing water towards ensuring that more households receive treated supplies.
Through the Coastal Water Treatment Infrastructure Programme (CWTIP), GWI said eight new water treatment plants have been constructed across coastal and hinterland areas. More than 13 existing treatment plants have also been rehabilitated and upgraded to improve operational performance and treatment capacity.
GWI said the investments have been particularly significant in the Hinterland, where geographical, logistical and operational challenges have historically affected access to reliable water supplies.
Potable water access in the Hinterland has increased from approximately 46 per cent to 95 per cent as of 2026, the utility reported.
However, GWI acknowledged that challenges remain in some communities, particularly concerns about elevated iron content in water supplied by groundwater wells.
“These concerns are not being dismissed,” the agency said, adding that they form part of the ongoing work to modernise water systems and improve the quality and consistency of services.
The utility said it continues to invest in treatment capacity and supporting infrastructure to address the remaining gaps and advance towards universal treated-water coverage.
Under the second phase of the CWTIP, GWI plans to construct seven additional water treatment plants.
These include two major surface-water treatment facilities at Diamond and Hope.
The Diamond facility is expected to serve 36,000 residents from Craig to Little Diamond, while the Hope facility on the East Coast Demerara corridor is expected to serve 35,000 residents from Cane Grove to Cove and John.
The five other planned plants are at Maria’s Delight, Leguan, Wakenaam, Bath and Adventure.
GWI also said it has completed the installation of 16 small water treatment plants in several rural communities and is working towards rolling out another six.
The smaller systems, it noted, are important for extending treated-water access to communities where large-scale infrastructure may not be the most immediate or practical solution.
The utility said the investments form part of a structured development programme guided by its strategic plans and national development priorities.
It maintained that the programme is intended to strengthen the country’s water infrastructure to accommodate population growth, new housing developments and the needs of communities that have historically experienced limited access.
Refilling stations
GWI also addressed concerns about the introduction and expansion of Government-supported bottle-refilling stations and the possible implications for private water vendors.
The utility described the facilities as a public-service initiative intended to make purified drinking water more affordable and accessible, particularly for low-income families and residents who regularly purchase drinking water.
Under the initiative, five-gallon refills are offered for $100 at the stations, providing residents with what GWI described as an affordable alternative for obtaining purified drinking water.
The agency said the initiative complements the wider national programme to improve access to potable water and reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that investments in the sector directly benefit citizens.
GWI maintained that the initiative is consistent with its mandate to provide safe, adequate and affordable water services throughout Guyana.
It said the expansion of the facilities would create additional opportunities for residents to access purified drinking water while complementing ongoing improvements to the country’s water infrastructure.
In its response, GWI said public confidence in the water sector must be supported by measurable progress and a willingness to acknowledge areas requiring improvement.
The agency said it would continue to communicate its achievements, respond to legitimate customer concerns and pursue the investments needed to strengthen water supply systems.
As Guyana continues to develop and demand for reliable and affordable water services increases, GWI said it remains committed to working with the Government, communities and other stakeholders to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with national development and that no community is left behind.
Source: Kaieteur News
