The Guyana Water Inc. on Wednesday inked $6 billion in contracts for the construction of new treatment plants, the rehabilitation of existing ones and the installation of new in-line filters.
The companies awarded contracts are Compass Engineering, H. Nauth & Sons, D&R Construction, Dax Engineering, International Import & Supplies, Singh & Sons, S. Jagmohan & Co. and Toshiba Water Solutions Inc.
The contracts were signed for the upgrade of 12 existing water treatment plants, which are slated to benefit over 300,000 customers.
The upgrade however has a timeline of 2021-2025 for completion and rehabilitation.
Chief Executive Officer of GWI Shaik Baksh explained that the company is currently working to provide treated water across the coastal belt of Guyana.
In addition to water treatment, the CEO highlighted that works are moving apace towards 99% potable water access countrywide, targeting unserved areas and new housing developments.
“Along the East Bank corridor, where there’s a huge housing development, we have been able to restore, to major communities, treated water. They have been deprived of treated water for over six years from 2015 to last year.” Bashk said.
The CEO noted with major concern is an ongoing issue along the coast and Georgetown with regards to a high iron content. The multi-billion dollar programme is designed to address that according to the CEO.
He said that the Grove, Covent Garden and Eccles water treatment plants are now receiving an improved quality of water and residents are pleased. Supervision of these contracts will be done by GWI Engineers, as the company continues to strengthen its in-house capacity.
The plants identified for rehabilitation are located at Friendship, Mon Repos, Better Hope – ECD; Grove, Covent Garden, Eccles – EBD; Fellowship, Pouderoyen & Vergenogen – Region 3 and New Amsterdam, Port Mourant, Cotton Tree – Region 6.
Upgrades and extension of transmission and distribution mains will complement the rehabilitation works to allow for the expansion of treated water boundaries to an additional 60,000 persons.
