GWI completes relocation of transmission main on Aubrey Barker Road

Residents for months were subjected to water woes even as the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) has been doing its best on its online platforms to inform residents of the works that are ongoing.

On Monday, several disruption notices were issued that the North Ruimveldt well would be interrupted as well as those for Central Georgetown and the Shelter Belt.

But for each notice posted online came a series of remarks that reflect the frustration and disdain felt by residents who have been enduring this water situation for many months now.

Officers from GWI on Tuesday conducted a live on Facebook to update residents of the works ongoing at Aubrey Barker Road, in the city.

Executive Director of Operations Jawaharlall Ramjug explained that there is some relocation of the interconnection mains happening close to the GPL power station.

There are several lines below the surface that need to be removed and when the work started last evening, the intention was to complete it by 04:00 hrs Tuesday, but Ramjug said the other problems that came up were not anticipated.

“These pipes are very old…. they’re not the type of pipes that are being used in the system right now. So there had to be adjustment to the materials at hand and that took some time for us to get done,” he explained.

The hope, according to Ramjug, was to wrap up the work by noon on Tuesday, and the company subsequently reported that the work was completed on time.

“The Guyana Water Inc. wishes to advise its customers in Georgetown that the relocation of the transmission main on Aubrey Barker Road has been completed and water has been restored,” it said in a statement.

“Please note that the water pressure will be low until the system is once again fully pressurised.

“GWI sincerely apologises for any inconvenience this situation may have caused and we would like to thank you our valuable customers for your patience and understanding during this time,” it added.

Engineer Richard Dookie explained why several wells have to be turned off at the same time to facilitate works.

All of the treatment plants and well are linked together, he said, so for leak repairs, that makes the job more difficult. Turning off multiple station allows for faster repairs.

Ramjug added that even though GWI is aware of all of the inconveniences, the work is necessary to facilitate development. Residents have however been saying that the situation continues to prolong without any real solution in sight.