-𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝

In response to issues highlighted by residents on the current water supply in Region Three, the Ministry of Housing and Water-Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) is taking active measures to address these concerns. On Friday, Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal, inspected ongoing works at Vergenoegen, Parika, and Pouderoyen.

The Minister, who was accompanied by GWI’s Executive Director of Operations, Mr. Sunildatt Barran; Regional Manager, Mr. Aggrey Anderson; and technical team, emphasized that several initiatives have been implemented to alleviate the water woes faced by residents.

The Vergenoegen Treatment Plant

At the Vergenoegen Treatment Plant (WTP), the Minister stated that GWI encountered challenges due to one of the three wells being out of operation. This disruption is attributed to both electrical issues and damage to the pump system. As a result, GWI had to reduce its normal delivery hours, severely affecting residents. Emergency repairs were executed to restore full operation of the well by Friday evening and ensure residents have better water access. The Vergenoegen WTP serves approximately 6,000 households, or about 24,000 residents, from Zeelugt to parts of Vergenoegen.

Minister Croal also highlighted the significant upgrade taking place at the treatment plant, with an investment of $633 million. The current output of 5 Mega Liters per Day (MLD) is set to double with the completion of these upgrades, expected within another month. Additionally, a new well, costing $110 million, was initially drilled for the upgraded system. However, this well will be connected to the existing system in less than two weeks, to boost capacity ahead of the overall upgrade. The enhanced treatment plant will also extend services to residents in the Tuschen area.

“As it is right now any interruption will affect households and so in addition to ensuring that we have reliable, safe water coming to the households, it is also about ensuring that we have redundancy in the system,” stated Minister Croal.

The Parika Treatment Plant

During his visit to the Parika WTP, the Minister also highlighted the challenges faced by residents in Parika and Hubu. The Hubu well is currently undergoing rehabilitation, resulting in low water coverage. Minister Croal said that the rehabilitation works are expected to be completed this weekend and residents can be assured that they will receive better water service soon.

“And with this one well that we have servicing Parika, Hubu, going up to Vergenoegen should be back to normalcy by Monday,” the Minister added.

Following a tour of the new $850 million Parika WTP, he also noted that it is now 80% complete. This plant will serve 3,500 households from Parika to sections of Vergenoegen, ensuring a service level of 1,500 PSI minimum. This system will be interlinked with the Vergenoegen WTP to improve water quality and is projected for completion in December. The plant will be supported by both the existing well and a new well being drilled nearby, together expected to meet a demand of 4.5 MLD. The plant has a contact tank and two filters, with a capacity of 6.8 MLD, catering population increases. The plant is also outfitted with four booster pumps at 100 cubic meters per hour and 40 meters each to maintain 15 PSI.

The Pouderoyen Treatment Plant

Meanwhile at Pouderoyen, GWI has successfully completed the upgrading of the Pouderoyen No. 2 Well, normalizing distribution hours. This is in response to residents being affected by low production levels due to the No. 1 well collapsing.

In addition, GWI is working on upgrading the Pouderoyen Water Treatment Plant to enhance its transmission and production capabilities. Once completed, this upgrade will extend service to La Grange, which currently lacks access to treated water from the existing plant. The expansion will increase service coverage from 5,000 households (approximately 20,000 residents) to nearly 9,000 households (36,000 residents). Improvements will include a new filter, system upgrades, and enhanced chlorination systems at both sites.