Region 10 consumes 30% additional water usage – GWI Regional Manager

Regional Manager of GWI, Rawle Friday has disclosed that residents of Region Ten have consumed an increase of 30 per cent in the water supply. He said that this represents the first four months of the pandemic which saw Guyana recording its first case in March this year. Friday made this disclosure at a Regional Health and Emergency Committee (RHEC) Meeting. He said that while the belief is that residents would have to save water, it wasn’t the case. “We saw consumption of water increasingly by a further 30% but we expected this as more persons were at home, more activities taking place and more usage of water was expected,” Friday said.

He said that GWI understands the urgency and importance of water during the pandemic and have sought to ensure that supply and quantity have been forthcoming so that residents can access it significantly. The GWI Manager said that several government buildings including schools and other offices used a significant amount of water. This, he said resulted in his team working around the clock to ensure that water supply is intact while addressing a number of challenges and difficulties being faced by residents.
“We recognize our role and is cognizant that it’s critically important in these times and that is why we continue to ensure that all systems are put in place while addressing any concerns that residents may have as water is certainly critically important during this pandemic,” he reiterated.

Friday said that despite the current health challenges they continue to execute a number of services to residents. He said that despite the major impact that the company has a face in terms of revenue. “While our revenue has been significantly impacted, we continue to see a great demand for water. However, we continue to take steps to protect our workers, while encouraging them to utilize our app in conducting business with us,” he said.

In addressing the issue of pensioners, the GWI Region 10 boss said that recognizing that this is one of the most vulnerable groups, GWI continues to ensure that residents can access services at their homes. “We at GWI have stuck to the task in ensuring that water is there. We have stuck to the schools as currently there is some amount of school students who have returned to schools for exams. We continue to work with the schools in ensuring that they continue to receive an adequate service of water so that the children have adequate water to wash their hands. This is one of the most essential things to have done,” he boasted.

The GWI Regional Manager reiterated that his company continues to maintain their responsibility to the residents of Region Ten, as it truly understands its role. He disclosed that staff has returned out to work in a scheduled manner as the services being provided to residents are of paramount importance.
“Water continues to be an essential service to residents and the people of Region Ten and we at GWI understands this and that is why we continue to provide a certain level and standard of service that all can attest to our professional level,” he said.

Expressing some amount of appreciation that there is an increase in water usage, Friday said this is not because it may result in increased revenue, but rather it’s an indication that more persons are taking some of the precautionary measures with regards to the washing of the hands and cleaning of their environs.
“Seeing increased water usage is not increased revenue that we see but rather it demonstrates that more persons are now washing their hands, or they have increased the washing their hands. Additionally, they seem to have engaged in activities that require using more water during this very difficult pandemic. As such, for us at GWI it gives us a sense of appreciation as it means that more persons are taking required precautions and adhering to certain regulations,” the Regional Manager said.