Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has uncovered in excess of 600 illegal water service connections countrywide, including Georgetown and Berbice, following the launch of its ‘Stamp Out Tampering’ Campaign last month.
GWI’s Billing and Revenue Control Manager, Julie Ragnauth said the company has received reports of an alarming number of illegal connections countrywide, including city wards such as Festival City, Tucville, and North and South Ruimveldt, according to a GWI press release yesterday. In Berbice, the release further stated, illegal connections were most prevalent in the areas of Tain and Clifton, Port Mourant, all of which were verified and the delinquent customers sanctioned with tampering penalties. The billing manager expressed GWI’s appreciation at the large number of customers who reported illegal connections.
Meanwhile, she also indicated that the significant response may lead to an extension of the campaign which commenced in July this year, and customers reporting illegal activities are being offered a cash reward which is credited to their GWI water service account. During the first week of the campaign, the company waived all tampering charges which resulted in a tepid response from customers with illegal connections but the number of customers reporting illegal connections within their community was significant.
In the meantime, GWI is still urging customers to report water theft by contacting GWI’s Customer Services Call Centre on 227-8701, and all calls will be treated with strict confidentiality.
Customers with questions about the campaign can visit GWI online at gwiguyana.com, e-mail customercallcentre@gwi.gy or post via social media at www.facebook.com/everydropcountsgy, the release concluded.
