The Diamond Water Treatment Plant on the East Bank of Demerara, which will provide improved water quality and level of service to thousands of residents between Herstelling and Great Diamond, is 77 percent completed.
This was disclosed yesterday as several executive directors, who are also Board Members of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), toured the site following a simple ceremony where an update on the project was provided.
The Diamond Water Treatment Plant, which is one of three Water Treatment Plants being constructed with funding from the IDB and the European Union (EU), is being constructed at a cost of GYD$1.9B. The plant will produce 12,000 cubic meters of water per day and its main purpose is iron removal.
All major structures have been completed as well as all civil and mechanical works and the water pumps are in place. Outstanding works include the electrical wiring to the pumps and electrical panels as well as the procurement of the filter media.
GWI’s Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles, pointed out that the treatment plant was due to be completed by October 2019 but this timeline has been extended to December 2020.
However, he is hopeful that the project will be completed at a much earlier date, especially due to the need which exists in many communities which it will serve. The Managing Director said that the company is optimistic that with the purchase of the filter media, works will progress at a faster rate. Negotiations are already afoot for the purchase and shipment of the media.
Dr Van West-Charles explained that the Diamond facility in the original design was supposed to utilise both ground and surface water. However, after consideration and analysis by GWI in 2017, it was decided that the supply of water will come primarily from groundwater sources.
This has contributed to a saving of approximately GYD$25M per annum due to a reduction in the need to import chemicals for the treatment process. Also, there is a projected saving of GYD$1.2M per month in energy cost.
The treatment plant will serve approximately 22,600 residents and is designed to serve 32,000 residents.
