Parfaite Harmonie residents enduring water shortage

Residents of Parfaite Harmonie are complaining that the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has not done anything to relieve a longstanding water shortage in the area.

Residents yesterday told Stabroek News that they made protests to the utility company on several occasions after the shortage first started.  They said they gained an initial response from the company, which undertook to resolve the issue, however, nothing has been done and they are being forced to continue under the strain of the situation.

Stabroek News tried to contact GWI’s Public Relations Officer Timothy Austin but was told that he was unavailable.
“We can’t even flush our toilet… when the electricity’s out the water is out,” an angry resident complained. The man said that he owned a vulcanizing shop and it was difficult to function with a shortage of water.

He noted that GWI holds the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) responsible for the shortage. “They said that when the current off, they [GWI] were unable to pump water for the area but the thing is when we get light is the same thing, no water,” he said.

Another resident argued that he had three children and it was painful to get up before dawn to fetch water for them to bathe and for him to carry out his daily chores. “This has been happening for the last year.

We reported it but GWI hasn’t done anything. The water doesn’t even reach to the sink in our downstairs much less upstairs to the bathroom,” the man said.

One resident of Westminster mentioned that his water supply was cut off after he refused to pay water bills. “They want me to pay and I’m not even getting water… how is that fair? Tell me?” the resident stated. “The water cuts off for the whole day and then barely comes when there is low voltage. Once the pipe is three feet above the ground, don’t expect to get water,” he continued.

Last week, Austin said over 1,000 customers were experiencing low water pressure owing to electricity disruptions at GWI treatment plants and well stations on the West Coast and the East Bank Demerara.

The affected areas were identified as Cornelia Ida, Anna Catherina, Leonora, Zeeburg, Meten-Meer-Zorg, and Tuschen on the West Demerara and at Farm on the East Bank.

The disruption has been going on for over a month now, but the situation has escalated, Austin had explained, when contacted.
In a press release, GWI advised all customers on the West Coast Demerara affected by low service levels that the company is providing full cooperation and assistance to GPL to resolve all issues. It added that all measures are being taken to restore normal service as swiftly as possible.