The Guyana Water Incor-porated (GWI) signed two multi-million-dollar contracts last Friday for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Linden water distribution system, under the Guyana Government/IDB US$12.3 million Linden Water Supply and Rehabilitation Pro-gramme (LWSRP).
GWI’s Chief Executive Nigel Niles and Suresh Jagmohan signed the contracts valued over $156 million and $319 million in the boardroom of the Linden Enterprise Network Inc in the presence of key stakeholders from Linden including Vice Chairman Byron Lewis, a press release said. The first contract is for the rehabilitation of the mains and upgrading of the distribution network on the West Bank and the second is for similar works on the East Bank. Both contracts were awarded to S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services.
According to Executive Director of Capital Investment and Planning, Ramchand Jailal, the programme seeks to significantly enhance the quality of water served to Linden customers.
“Over the next five years, we expect to undertake a series of large scale civil works which will include the construction of two new water treatment plants at Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc as well as booster stations, reservoirs, and the installation of transmission mains,” he said. These also include rehabilitating the distribution system and replacing leaking pipelines and service connections. Jailal said the combination of the new treatment facilities and rehabilitation of the distribution system will provide quality water service to the area.
“GWI is also engaging a consultant to develop a strategy to reduce water loss and non revenue water,” he said, adding that the company is aware that the current system is not adequate owing to the growth of the town over the years. Jailal said when the new plants become operational customers will enjoy a higher standard of treated water as they are designed to deliver water quality that meets World Health Organi-sation (WHO) guidelines.
“The success of the LWSRP also depends on the willingness of GWI Linden customers to partner with us on water conservation, protecting freshwater resources and maintaining safe household water supply,” Jailal said, adding that “for customers to enjoy higher levels of service they must avoid wastage; we will be engaging all the treated water schemes in a conversation campaign via mass media and community meetings.” A “robust” public education campaign is planned, including a 60-minute television documentary on the programme.
Regarding protecting freshwater sources, Jailal explained that the new Wisroc Water Treatment Plant will source water from the Dakoura Creek so it is vital that Lindeners protect the creek and its watershed by avoiding activities such as mining, forestry and improper waste disposal which can pollute it.
