GWI aims for 85% treated water in coastal areas by 2025
Under its new five year strategic plan, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is aiming to achieve 100% access to potable water countrywide by 2025, with 85% of treated water coverage in coastal areas by then.
In a press release issued yesterday, GWI noted that based on baseline data from 2019, 96% of the population has access to potable water. It added that treated water coverage in coastal areas was 53% then.
The release said the programmatic areas of the 2021-2025 plan are: Organisation and Management, NonRevenue water, Water production, distribution and quality, Finance and customer services and Sanitation.
“One of the key performance indicators of the strategic plan is 85% metering by 2025 compared to 53% in 2019. Already, GWI is expected to receive 26,000 meters by April 2021, upon which time installation will commence,” it explained.
It was noted that water meters not only aid customers in the monitoring of their water consumption but also allow the company to control the demand for this valuable resource.
Other performance indicators include reducing non-revenue water from 70% in 2019 to 55% in 2025, achieving 100% billing for customers and 100% resolution to customer services and sewerage -related complaints.
The release said GWI’s Chief Executive Officer Shaik Baksh has indicated that quarterly reports will be submitted to the Board of Directors on the achievements of the targets.
“The strategic plan provides enhanced strategic focus to achieve improved operational efficiency and productivity in the face of expanding economic opportunities and improving quality of life for all Guyanese” he was quoted as saying.
Baksh yesterday met with Managers from across the regions to give them the charge for 2021 and to discuss the strategic plan and how its targets will allow the company to fulfill the mandate of the government.
He told the managers that both the government and the Board of Directors have high expectations of GWI.
He also spoke of the need for better coordination and a stronger relationship between the Operations and customer services teams in the respective regions in order to effectively cater to the needs of the customers.