Baksh blames unprecedented sedimentation from EDWC for water woes

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), Shaik Baksh, has blamed unprecedented sedimentation from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) has severely impacted the city’s water supply, resulting in discoloured, sediment-filled water flowing through pipes across Georgetown. Baksh indicated that the situation is being addressed, but it may take several days for the water quality to return to normal.
During a press conference held at GWI’s corporate complex, Baksh explained that recent dredging activities at the EDWC, carried out during the dry season, led to a buildup of sludge. This sludge subsequently made its way into GWI’s water storage facilities at the Shelter Belt, contaminating the water supply for Central Georgetown.
Baksh assured the public that GWI has taken immediate steps to flush the contaminated water out of the system, and the process is ongoing. He acknowledged the severity of the situation, noting that this level of poor water quality is unprecedented and beyond the control of the utility at this time. He estimated that it could take a few days before the water supply returns to its usual standards.
The CEO revealed that GWI first identified a problem with the water quality about a month ago. He described how the Shelter Belt, which stores water from the Lamaha Canal, began receiving water with an unusually high sediment load. Upon investigation, it was determined that the sedimentation originated from the EDWC, exacerbated by the recent dredging and heavy rainfall.
“This is an unprecedented situation,” Baksh stated. “In all the years, even our most experienced managers have never seen such a high sedimentation load. We acted immediately to address the issue. A team led by our Operations Director was dispatched to the conservancy, and they confirmed that the dredging during the prolonged drought had caused a significant buildup of sludge. With the onset of heavy rains, this sludge was washed down into our reservoirs, leading to the current water quality issues.”