100-year old fragile water mains to be replaced “shortly”- public utilities minister

Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, 21:18 by Writer

After more than three years of constant breakage, the more than 100-year old potable water underground mains near the Bank of Guyana would be replaced “shortly” and so end the spending of millions of dollars annually on repairs, Minister of Public Utilities Deodat Indar said.

“This is a major project that will be executed shortly. I met with GWI (Guyana Water Incorporated) and discussed the works already,” he said.

Mr Indar told Demerara Waves Online News that representatives of the GWI, Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Public Works would be meeting to coordinate works. “We are examining the plans and a multi-agency group will meet to work out the approach,” he said.

While new non-corrosive pipes are stockpiled at a GWI depot on Sheriff Street near the Lama Canal for about three years now, the rotting pipes had not been replaced but were often broken by heavy duty vehicles such as shipping containers, pipe-laden trailers and other supplies mainly for the oil and gas sector.

While most of the repeated leaks occur on Church and Main streets outside the Bank of Guyana around the War Memorial, there have been a few near Guyana Stores and the National Library.

As reported earlier this year, GWI often times have to spend additional monies on road repairs.

The latest leak, located outside the National Library, is almost three months old and has since resulted in the destruction of the pavement, forcing pedestrians to compete with parked and moving vehicles.