Though there are a great number of water processors in Guyana, the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GAFDA) has only registered about 39 licensed businesses to date.
“To date, we only have 39 persons qualified,” Director of GAFDA Marlan Cole revealed yesterday, before pointing out that it is known that there are more than the qualified number operating in Guyana. However, he said, this is not reflected in the number of persons licensed. According to Cole, it is difficult to crackdown on these unlicensed businesses due to their sheer number coupled with the fact that the GAFDA unit is small and has a limited number of staff members.
Nevertheless, he said, the department was working as hard as it could to clamp down on these businesses in the interest of public health.
He also said that there is need for the revision of legislation which effectively prosecutes defaulters. “These are some areas that are difficult for us,” he noted.
Cole’s concerns were voiced during an awareness session on water standards held by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS). For a few hours, a small group of water distribution businesses and health agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gathered to be sensitised about the requirements necessary to become compliant with water distribution standards.
Noting that water was truly “indispensable,” Executive Director of GNBS Evadnie Enniss stated that businesspersons ought to look outside Guyana for models of proper water distribution. She went on to urge these entrepreneurs to use the standards outlined to benefit the wider society.
“What will people see if there’s a hidden camera placed in your business?” Enniss questioned before advising businesspersons to always think of the consumers’ health and hold them in the highest regard.
“Remember, you’re not satisfying yourself, you’re satisfying the customer,” she added.
Businesspersons who were present were also privy to presentations on the water standards which aim at not only educating the businesses on what needs to be done but also provides them with an idea of how far along they are and how much further they need to go.
The first presentation focused on the code of practice for packaged water and, according to Al Donavon Fraser, Technical Officer with GNBS, the standard is based on the standards set by the Caricom Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality and consists of eight sections. These sections include hygiene processing requirements, and prescriptions for storage.
Those present were also informed about techniques for collecting, processing, packaging and storing water.
It was noted that sources of water collection must be approved by a competent national authority. Persons were also informed about protecting their water sources from agricultural runoff, pesticides, detergent and disposal of solid, liquid and gaseous waste.
The water supply, Fraser also said, should conform to requirements set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Emphasis was placed on the importance of maintaining contaminant-free water from processing to the time of its sale.
According to Fraser, conformance to the outlined requirements means that products meet the requirements of any Caricom member state. He further said that the use of the standards helps businesses to fine-tune their performances and minimise potential risks.
According to Charissa Wilson, another technical officer with GNBS, packaged water is tested by the GAFDA to fit microbiological specifications. Wilson noted that water is important and maintained that the customer’s satisfaction should be on the top of the agenda.
“It’s important for us to understand that it’s not just about money,” Wilson said before adding, “It’s about the quality you give to your customers.”
She further said that all manufacturers and water processers should be acquainted with the law governing packaged water. She also placed emphasis on food handler’s training.
“We do not just want to hassle you to get all of these things; we just understand that water is important for the consumers,” GNBS public relations officer Lloyd David added.
