WITH efforts underway to not only improve sanitation services but also the management of wastewater, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, announced that the government is pursuing proposals for a wastewater treatment facility in Georgetown, which is estimated to be US$40 million.
The minister made this announcement during the curtain raiser for the 32nd Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) Conference and Exhibition, on Monday.
“Currently, the estimated cost of constructing a wastewater treatment facility in Georgetown is approximately US $40 million and technical proposals are being pursued,” he related, adding that solid waste management is another area that needs more attention.
“We need to improve… our consumption-driven society produces immense quantities of waste, but much of this ends up at landfills or pollutes the ocean,” Minister Croal said.
Among a number of measures to tackle the management of wastewater and solid waste more effectively, Croal said that the introduction of environmental education is necessary.
He said that a hand-washing programme for maintaining good hygiene was implemented in primary schools, in order to educate children.
This programme was implemented in 10 primary schools and targeted 500 children. Waste receptacles were also distributed to primary schools in nine municipalities across the country.
“Guyana has expended over $2.1 billion in financing to local government organs to support their delivery of services to communities,” Croal said, adding that there were numerous measures undertaken by the ministry to enhance the water sector.
He added too that the ongoing water conference is essential for Caribbean nations since the region is facing drought and extreme rainfall.
“There must be improved monitoring, data sharing, cross border collaboration, an assessment of water resources and an accompanying increase in investments to facilitate [such],” Croal told stakeholders.
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, also recommended ways in which the region could improve its water management. He specifically mentioned investing in modern water infrastructure and technology.
Prime Minister Phillips said too that this includes the updating and expansion of water-treatment facilities, pipelines, and distribution systems, in order to minimize losses due to leaks and ensure reliable access to clean water.
Additionally, he remarked that sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling should be encouraged, as a means of reducing the strain on freshwater sources.
The Prime Minister then proposed the promotion of public awareness and education campaigns.
“Communities must understand the value of water and the impacts of wasteful practices. Public campaigns and educational programmes can foster a culture of water conservation,” he said.
