Homeowners face $25,000 fine for illegal water connections

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) says it will demonstrate zero tolerance to customers who reconnect their water services illegally and will impose a $25,000 fine on them.

In a press release, GWI said it started a nationwide disconnection campaign in December 2011 and to date about 15,000 persons have been disconnected for defaulting on payments. “GWI has a zero tolerance policy for persons who refuse to pay for water charges and will prosecute any customer who reconnects themselves in accordance with the provisions of the Water and Sewerage Act 2002,” it said.

According to acting CEO Nigel Niles, “All customers who are illegally connecting their services will face legal action and fines, disconnected customers are urged to visit the nearest GWI office to make payment or enter into a payment plan and not tamper with their services.” He urges disconnected customers to contact the GWI offices about their arrears. Niles also said disconnected customers found illegally reconnected may be made to pay a tamper fee of $25,000 and a reconnection fee of $6,000 in order to have their service restored.

To apply for a GWI payment plan customers can visit the nearest GWI office or contact the company via the customer Services Call Centre on telephone number 227-8701 or via email address customercallcentre@gwi.gy