Bars, workshops among major offenders as EPA receives 97 noise complaints so far this year

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it has already received 97 noise-related complaints for 2026 so far, with reports ranging from mechanic shops and wash bays to bars and furniture workshops.

“For this year, we would have received 97 noise-related complaints, and these complaints actually range from activities such as mechanic shops, wash bays, even spray painting and furniture shops,” Head of the EPA’s Investigations and Enforcement Department, Surjpaul Singh told the News Room.

During an exclusive interview recently, Singh said close to 20 of those complaints were linked directly to bars.

“In that number we also have like about below 20 that are coming from bars directly,” he said.

According to Singh, EPA continues to actively monitor and investigate the growing number of complaints across the country. Once complaints are lodged, he said the EPA follows a structured process before taking enforcement measures.

“When these complaints are received, we record, screen them and we schedule inspections,” Singh said.

Addressing concerns from members of the public about delayed responses, Singh acknowledged that there is often a perception that the agency does not act quickly enough.

“I know this is probably a stigma that is attached to the agency where persons say they lodge a complaint today and they want a response tomorrow,” he said.

However, he explained that the EPA groups complaints based on geographic locations before dispatching officers.

“Our primary hotspots for these types of complaints are the East Coast, the East Bank, West Coast and probably West Bank of Demerara — the coastline mostly.

“What we do is we actually group them and then we respond. We wait until there is a concentration within a particular area, then we respond,” Singh explained.

During investigations, the EPA first works with businesses and individuals to encourage compliance with the country’s noise management regulations.

“So when we go, we do our regular investigation, we collect the necessary evidence and on the first go we give you a set of guidelines,” Singh said.

He said businesses are often advised to make structural adjustments to reduce excessive noise.

“So if you have a workshop for example we would ask you to enclose that workshop or to have the noise-generating activities done within that enclosure,” he noted.

Businesses are also required to follow the standards established by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) regarding acceptable decibel levels and operating times.

While the EPA initially focuses on education and cooperation, Singh warned that repeated non-compliance can lead to strict enforcement action.

“After two or three times we come and there is no movement, then we move into the enforcement side of things.

“We can actually serve you notice to prohibit the activity and if we are getting continuous non-compliance, we can move to the courts — you can be initiated with a fine or even jail time,” Singh said.

Despite the ongoing complaints, Singh said the agency has been seeing encouraging signs of compliance from businesses and residents.

“Generally, I can say there is compliance because when you go to them they want to know more of what the requirements are, what they have to do.

“We don’t go right away with the big stick, we go work with you, encourage you to be compliant with the regulations. So we have seen improvements with persons wanting to be compliant,” Singh told the News Room.