The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$30 million loan to support Guyana’s work to upgrade water and sanitation services. The effort will focus on reaching more than 150,000 people through new systems and updates to existing ones in East Demerara and nearby areas.
Plans include a new water treatment plant in Diamond and 15 kilometers of new pipes to connect it to the wider network. These upgrades are expected to improve service and reduce outages in the surrounding communities.
The project will also help Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) improve how it manages water supplies. That includes better meters, smarter monitoring tools, and training to help cut losses from leaks and improve daily service operations.
Alongside the main loan, the IDB is providing another US$15.6 million for early construction work. Japan’s international cooperation agency (JICA) is also contributing US$36.3 million. The loans come with a 25-year repayment window and a 5.5-year grace period.
Guyana has invested heavily in clean water access over the last five years. New wells, upgraded plants, and pipeline repairs have been part of that effort. This new funding will help the country reach more households and make water delivery more reliable across both coastal and inland areas.
