The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has stated that  a recent report by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) does not show that the water supplied to customers is unsafe to drink, despite concerns raised in the report.

In its report, the PUC found that water treatment plants at Amelia’s Ward, Wisroc, McKenzie, Linden Power Company (LPC), Grove, Friendship, Better Hope, Sparendaam and Bartica recorded turbidity and iron levels outside the World Health Organization’s recommended operating ranges.

GWI said these findings mainly affect the water’s appearance, taste, colour and the operation of treatment plants. However, the company claims that it does not affect whether the water is safe to drink.

The company clarified the PUC report did not find that water quality standards linked to public health were being breached.

Moreover, GWI said it is aware that improvements are needed and noted that several of the treatment plants named in the report were already being upgraded during 2025 under its Coastal Water Treatment Infrastructure Programme. The work includes new filtration systems and other improvements to improve water quality.

The company also responded to the PUC’s concerns about water meter installations.

It said it installed 68,449 domestic water meters between 2022 and 2024, exceeding the target of 60,000 set under PUC Order No. 2 of 2018.

While the PUC reported a drop in meter installations in 2025, GWI said the drop was as a result of its supplier moving its manufacturing from Brazil to China. This move caused delays in shipments of the water meters to Guyana, but the problem has since been resolved.

GWI also said it was disappointed that it was not given a chance to explain the technical findings before the report was published. It believes this would have helped give the public a more balanced understanding of the PUC’s findings.

The company said it remains committed to improving its water treatment systems and providing customers with water that meets health and safety standards.

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