The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$30 million loan to help Guyana rebuild and modernize its water and sanitation systems, according to an IDB press release. The funding will go to Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the national utility, to bring better water service to about 151,000 people in several parts of the country.
The main work will include building a new water treatment plant in Diamond along the East Bank Demerara, and installing around 15 kilometers of pipelines to connect it with existing networks. GWI will also introduce better metering, use new digital tools, and run repairs to find and fix leaks—moves aimed at keeping water supplies more reliable and cutting waste.
This program targets improvements not just in Diamond but also across East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara, and Cummings Lodge. GWI will also launch public campaigns to help spot and reduce water loss, and upgrade its IT system to track performance and costs more closely.
Along with the main loan, the IDB approved a separate US$15.6 million investment loan to keep things moving, while Japan’s international development agency (JICA) will contribute another US$36.3 million. The loans will be repaid over 25 years, with a 5.5-year grace period.
Guyana has spent the last five years working to expand access to clean water, especially in areas that were previously left out. With help from the IDB and JICA, the new funding will support better service for both coastal towns and rural communities.
