$2.5B allocated for water sector…GWI’s electricity bill jumps 60%; pumps to be adjusted to reduce costs

Over the past year $2.4 billion was expended within the water sector and Government will be allocating $2.5 billion to this area in 2014, Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh disclosed in his Budget announcement on Monday.

He explained that Government’s investments in the sector seek to expand safe, adequate and affordable water coverage across the length and breadth of the country.

“As such, emphasis will be on the replacement of electro-mechanical equipment and infrastructure, continued construction of new water treatment facilities, the extension of the network and metering,” Dr. Singh emphasised.

In addition, the Finance Minister noted that with electricity charges soaring to approximately 60 percent of production costs, the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) has completed a comprehensive energy audit and will commence implementing initiatives dedicated exclusively to replacing and re-engineering the electro-mechanical features of its pumps and equipment in line with modern, energy-efficient technologies.

He explained that in 2013, of the $2.4 billion that was expended in water, $649.1 million was spent to begin construction of two new water treatment plants, the installation of over 30 kilometres of transmission and distribution mains, and the upgrade of 1,500 service connections, benefiting residents of Linden.

Additionally, Dr. Singh underscored that works continued on the drilling of several wells, including exploratory drilling at Mabaruma. Works also commenced on the installation of transmission and distribution mains in Regions three, five and six, and $160 million was spent on the Hinterland Water Supply Programme which benefitted over 15,000 persons.

Dr. Singh further explained that of the $2.5 billion allocated to the water sector this year, funding will be used for drilling, construction and completion of wells in Cotton Tree, Hope, Mon Repos, Sparendaam and Sophia, the construction of water clarifier and filters at Bartica and Eccles, the upgrade of service connections in East Berbice and Linden, and the installation of transmission and distribution mains in areas such as Vergenoegen, Victoria, Crabwood Creek, Angoy’s Avenue, and Bartica.

Further, two water treatment plants at Wisroc and Amelia’s Ward will be completed, benefitting more than 30,000 residents in Region 10. Additionally, water supply improvement works will be done in hinterland communities, in areas such as Waikerabi, Santa Rosa, Arau, Taruka, Kanapang, Kathur, Aishalton and St. Ignatius, benefitting approximately 20,000 residents.

SANITATION

The Finance Minister also noted that in 2014, the sum of $544.6 million is budgeted for the completion of the sewer system in Central Georgetown, the sewer outfall in Georgetown and the sewerage pumping station at Tucville. The draft Solid Waste Management Bill is also being reviewed and is expected to be tabled this year.

“A sum of $1.1 billion is budgeted for the completion of civil works and for operational expenses at the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill where there is 320 tonnes of solid waste daily. In addition, we have commenced a pilot project on composting and public awareness campaign on management and disposal of solid waste. These issues strike at the core of our nation’s health and our individual responsibility for keeping our environment clean,” Dr. Singh stated.

“In 2013, a sum of $546.5 million was expended towards the continued rehabilitation of the Georgetown sewer system, along with the rehabilitation of 24 pumping stations.

In the area of solid waste management, our commitment to address the detrimental impact of improper waste disposal was further reinforced by the enactment of the Environmental Protection Regulations 2013, more popularly known as the “Litter Enforcement Regulations”.

Government has developed a draft Solid Waste Management Act, which seeks to establish a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to improve the conditions for waste management countrywide, establish a National Solid Waste Management Division within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and develop waste management plans which will tackle the collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste,” the Minister said.