GWI using estimated billing, suspends disconnections

Dwayne Shako (DPI photo)

Due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will not be conducting any meter readings and will instead give customers estimated bills.

During a virtual press conference broadcast on GWI’s Facebook page on Monday, Executive Director of Operations Dwayne Shako suggested that customers stand to actually benefit from paying less for their water service every month.

Shako explained that the company is facing expenses of close to $400 million dollars in order to provide clean water to citizens, so payment for its services is necessary. “If at the end of the month, due to [no] payment we cannot have that money come back to us from our customers so that we can buy additional chemicals to cleanse the water, then the money has to come from somewhere…and we don’t have the option where we can turn off and stop supplying the water,” he said.