Linden waterworks upgrade on target – GWI

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has confirmed that the US$12.3 million Inter-American Development Bank and Guyana Government funded Linden Water Supply Rehabilitation Programme (LWSRP) is on target.

The water utility said in a press release that it had received assurances to this effect from the France-based Consultant Egis Eau (in association with SRKN Engineering) and the two contractors S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and UEM Inc, based in Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago respectively.

The release said GWI’s Chief Executive Officer Shaik Baksh had toured the civil works recently and was pleased with the progress.

The project will see the rehabilitation of the mains and upgrading of the distribution network in Linden. To date, the release stated, the major structures-the Amelia’s Ward Treatment Plant and the Wisroc Water Treatment Plant are both at 90% completion and the supporting structures such as the Wisroc reservoir is at 60% completion which has a capacity of 3,500 cubic metres of water. The Amelia’s ward plant includes the construction of 7 tanks and a high capacity reservoir with a capability of producing 57 litres/second, the report said.

Currently, GWI also stated, there are additional works being done at both water treatment facilities such as the installation of the electro-mechanical components and pipeline.

Pollution is of grave concern, GWI mentioned, as the primary source of the Wisroc facility is the Dakoura fresh water creek. To this end, GWI had launched a campaign since 2013 sensitising the residents. However, the Amelia’s Ward facility has a well as its primary water source so the issue does not arise.

The most important component of the upgrade, GWI said, is the installation of water service meters, since the success of the programme hinges on water conservation.