Guyana benefiting from Water Partnership Programme with Suriname

A team from the Suriname Water Company has concluded a week’s visit here and shared experiences and expertise related to the management of the water system with members of the Guyana Water Incorporated, under the Inter -American Development Bank and UN Habitat sponsored, Water Partnership Programme.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GWI, Dr Van West-Charles during a media conference on Friday said the team from the Suriname Water Company and members of GWI discussed matters such as water quality, development of treatment plants and non-revenue water.

He noted that “our young engineers have been able to appreciate and improve their knowledge and skills in a number of areas.”

Dr Van West-Charles said the presence of the team here has highlighted a number of inefficiencies with the design of Guyana’s treatment plants and the possible solutions.

The team visited Uitvlugt, Diamond and Sheet Anchor, the three communities earmarked for the establishment of water treatment plants.

In essence what we are discovering is that the design …we are taking water from two different sources, from ground and from surface but it appears that is one design in the two plants which is contributing to the difficulties we are experiencing,” the CEO said.

He lauded the programme and noted that one of the main areas of focus for both companies is intense work on the issue of water quality. The GWI CEO is looking forward to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and the implementation of a plan of action between Guyana and Suriname.

Additionally, the team visited Linden, Pourdreyen and Bartica to inspect the treatment plants there. The filtration system at Linden was also examined and several recommendations were made, hence Dr Van West-Charles said he has no difficulty inviting to team to assist further.

Samples have been collected from these areas to be sent to Suriname for testing and are expected to return within a week, the CEO informed.

The head of the Surinamese team, Jerrol Ferriera expressed an interest in assisting GWI with the development of the Hinterland Water System.

Meanwhile, IDB Country representative, Sophie Mckinnon said the funding for the programme falls under the Water Operator Partnership for Latin America and the Caribbean.

“This is really about a source of financing that helps public and private operators assist them in coming together and collaborating,” she said.

The Guyanese team will be travelling to Suriname in September.