The Government aims to achieve 100 per cent coverage of treated water across Guyana within the next two years, as major investments continue in water treatment plants, pipelines, and distribution systems nationwide, according to Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar.
Speaking on the Guyana Dialogue Podcast on Thursday evening, Minister Indar revealed that although more than 95 per cent of Guyanese currently have access to potable water, approximately 80 per cent of the water distributed along the coastline is fully treated and purified.
He explained that the administration has been aggressively expanding water treatment infrastructure over the past five years to ensure citizens receive cleaner, safer, and higher-quality drinking water.
According to the minister, seven new water treatment plants have already been constructed during that period, while several existing facilities across the country have been upgraded and rehabilitated to improve efficiency and increase production capacity.
Among the new facilities are treatment plants located along the East Coast Demerara, at Caledonia on the East Bank Demerara, Parika on the East Bank Essequibo, and Wales on the West Bank Demerara.
Minister Indar noted that the Government continues to expand treatment capacity in response to rapid population growth and the growing number of housing developments along the coastline.
He cited Bartica as a major success story, explaining that authorities sourced water from a stream at Four Mile and, for the first time in the community, established a modern surface-water treatment system.
The plant, built by Toshiba Water Systems, now produces treated water that exceeds World Health Organisation standards, according to the minister.
He added that similar projects are now underway in Stewartville, Region Three. At the same time, another major treatment facility is planned for La Bonne Intention (LBI) on the East Coast of Demerara to support the expansion of housing schemes and the rising water demand.
The minister emphasised that strategic investments in water treatment infrastructure are essential as Guyana’s population and residential developments continue to grow rapidly.
Minister Indar disclosed that the Government allocated approximately $22 billion this year to Guyana Water Incorporated’s capital budget to strengthen water production, treatment and distribution systems across the coastal and hinterland regions.
He noted that Hinterland communities are now approaching 100 per cent access to potable water, with new water networks and well systems being developed in remote villages.
The minister revealed that he recently visited Region Nine, where several new water distribution systems were commissioned in four villages to improve residents’ access to reliable drinking water, as residents had previously relied heavily on nearby creeks and natural water sources.
He acknowledged, however, that the geographical layout of many hinterland communities continues to pose logistical challenges, as homes are often miles apart, making water distribution more difficult and costly.
Despite those obstacles, Indar praised the technical teams at GWI for their aggressive approach to expanding water access across the country.
At the same time, the minister warned that water wastage and leakage remain major concerns for the utility company, revealing that nearly 60 per cent of the water produced is currently lost to leaks and wastage.
Minister Indar urged citizens to help reduce water loss by avoiding unnecessary waste and ensuring that taps and pipelines are not left running.