Over 85,000 water customers face disconnection

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is appealing to consumers to pay outstanding water services charges, as it has mobilised its disconnection crew from today.

Over 85,000 customers will have their service disrupted if payments are not made soon, GWI acting Chief Executive Nigel Niles said, in a press release. He noted that while the company is aware that customers accumulate large expenses in December, it is urging them to make payment a priority.

According to Niles during the year, GWI has attempted to educate its customers, through various public education programmes; about the importance of payment … “unfortunately, we continue to have large amounts of debt on our database, including customers who have not even paid for the first quarter of 2011.”

Disconnection teams are being mobilised to several key areas, which the company has identified with the most debt. These include South Ruimveldt Gardens, South Ruimveldt Park, Tucville, Newtown, Kitty; Bel Air Gardens, Lamaha Springs, Prashad Nagar, North Ruimveldt, Blygezight, Campbellville; Kitty and Campbellville. Communities in Berbice such as New Amsterdam, Skeldon and Rose Hall have also been targeted.

“Crews will also be disconnecting in Linden and Essequibo; GWI intends to disconnect all customers with large arrears primarily those who have not paid any bills for the year. These customers will be required to pay a reconnection fee of $6000 (domestic customers) and $13,000 (commercial customers),” Niles said.

GWI Billings Manager Julie Ragnauth said the company has experienced challenges with the delivery of bills via the post. “A number of bills were returned and we are working to rectify all issues with the Post Office,” she said, adding that customers are aware that they are using the service and should enquire about charges via the call centre. “Non receipt of a bill will not bar a customer from disconnection,” Ragnauth said.

Customers with outstanding service charges can query their bills by contacting GWI’s Customer Service Call Centre at telephone number 227-8701 or via email address custoemrcallcentre@gwi.gy Persons seeking more information can also visit the company’s website located at www.gwiguyana.com or its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/everydropcounts.