Dear Editor,
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has taken note of the concerns raised in a recent letter to the editor, published by Kaieteur News in its 10th July, 2026, edition with the headline “GWI’s statement is irresponsible, callous and dangerous – water 630 times safe limit”. GWI wishes to provide important clarification to ensure that the public receives accurate, balanced and scientifically grounded information.
GWI reiterates that the utility takes its responsibility to provide safe and reliable water to the people of Guyana paramount The statement previously issued by the company was intended to distinguish between aesthetic water quality parameters and indicators of direct public health risk, not to dismiss public concerns or minimise the importance of improving water quality.
As previously noted, while iron levels and the associated turbidity increase due to oxidation in some locations present intermittent challenges, this is not the norm. Construction and upgrade of treatment facilities have been and continue to be aggressively rolled out to permanently address these issues. Through the Government of Guyana’s ambitious Coastal Water Treatment Infrastructure Programme (CWTIP), GWI is implementing one of the largest investments in water treatment infrastructure in the country’s history, with new treatment plants, upgraded facilities and transmission systems being developed to significantly improve water quality for coastal communities. This programme represents a long-term and sustainable solution to historical groundwater-related challenges that have affected some areas for decades.
Regarding pH variations, it is important to note that Guyana’s diverse natural geology and hydrogeological conditions undoubtedly influence water sources across the country. Variations in pH levels occur naturally in surface water systems and, while operationally important for water treatment and distribution management, they do not automatically translate into adverse health impacts for consumers. It must also be noted that most of the water pipes are PVC and do not contain lead or copper metals to be impacted by low pH. Similarly, while isolated high turbidity elevations have been observed in some locations, particularly in systems with elevated iron concentrations where oxidation may occur within the distribution network, the PUC report did not identify simultaneous microbiological concerns or pathogen-related exceedances. This confirms the biological safety of the water being supplied and supports GWI’s position that the issues identified relate primarily to aesthetic quality rather than immediate public health risks.
Collectively, these factors demonstrate that while aesthetic deficiencies remain in some areas intermittently and continue to require attention, the parameters identified do not directly compromise public health. Nevertheless, GWI recognises that public expectations extend beyond safety alone, and substantial infrastructure developments are underway to address these concerns permanently.
GWI has invested in a state-of-the-art Laboratory certified to GYS 170:2021 Standard of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards. The GWI laboratory remains committed to transparency, continuous monitoring, regulatory compliance and ongoing investment to ensure that every citizen has access to water that is safe, reliable, and of an increasingly higher quality standard. The company will continue to work closely with the Public Utilities Commission and other agencies as part of this commitment to continual improvement in service delivery for all Guyanese.
Finally, true to his usual political motive comfortably wrapped in his deeply flawed analysis, Dr. Adams refers to a “world class Water Authority handed over to the PPP/C Govt in 1992”. What he deliberately failed to tell the nation was that the water woes suffered by the population in the 1970s and 1980s including widespread untreated and unsafe water and a decrepit transmission and distribution network was as a result of the previous PNC government.
GWI in its mission to provide quality water to the population and with funding by the Government of Guyana has constructed 31 and upgraded 12 water treatment plants with 10 more plants to be completed by 2028.