Multimillion dollar contracts signed to improve water supply in Linden

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the nation’s supplier of water and sanitation services on Friday, September 14, signed two contracts for civil works which will improve water service provided to customers in Linden.

The first contract, which is valued in excess of Gy$ 156 million, is intended for the rehabilitation of mains and the upgrade of the distribution network on the West Bank; the second contract, valued in excess of Gy$ 319 million is meant for similar works on the East Bank.
Both contracts were awarded to S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services. The contracts were signed by GWI Chief Executive Officer Nigel Niles and Suresh Jagmohan at the Linden Enterprise Network Inc boardroom, Republic Avenue, Linden, in the presence of key stakeholders from Linden, including Region 10 Vice Chairman, Byron Lewis.
The contracts are for improvement works which form part of the Linden Water Supply and Rehabilitation Programme (LWSRP) which is funded by the Government of Guyana through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) at a cost in excess of US$ 12 million.
According to executive director of capital investment and planning, Ramchand Jailal, the programme seeks to significantly enhance the quality of life experienced by GWI customers in Linden through a massive rehabilitation of the water supply system.
“Over the next five years, we expect to undertake a series of large-scale civil works which will include the construction of two new water treatment plants at Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc as well as booster stations, reservoirs, and the installation of transmission mains, as well as the rehabilitation of the distribution system including replacing leaking pipelines and service connections,” he said.
The executive director illustrated that with the combination of the new treatment facilities and the reduction of leaks through an upgrade of the distribution system, Linden customers will experience improved water quality as well as higher levels of service.
Under the programme, GWI is also engaging a consultant to develop a strategy to reduce water loss and non-revenue water.
“We are aware that the current system is not adequate due to its age and the growth of the town over the years, but when the new plants are fully operational, customers will enjoy a higher standard of treated water as they are designed to deliver water quality that fulfills World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines,” Jailal said.
The executive director further stated that the programme will encompass a large public education and community outreach component.
With regard to protecting sources of freshwater, Jailal explained that the new Wisroc Water Treatment Plant will utilise freshwater from the Dakoura Creek; hence customers of Linden must protect the creek and its watershed by avoiding activities that can pollute the creek such as mining and forestry activities, and dumping garbage in or around the creek.
He further emphasised that while the new facilities will provide an improved level of safe, potable water; water can still become contaminated if customers are reluctant to adapt safe habits such as storing water in covered containers and consistently cleaning black tanks.