Georgetown : Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), University of Guyana, today which will mark a special collaboration between the two entities involving the use of technology to improve the operational processes and resolve challenges faced by GWI.
The MOU was signed by Chief Executive, GWI, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles and Director of IAST, Dr. Suresh Narine. The MOU specifies that the IAST will act as a technology provider, advisor and implementer of technology solutions to enhance the operations and find solutions to the difficulties experienced by GWI.
According to Dr. Van West-Charles, ‘GWI will benefit tremendously from this collaboration especially in the areas of water quality and the management of Guyana’s water resources through analytical testing of ground and surface water sources’.
The Chief Executive further explained that the IAST will be collaborating with GWI to test aquifers (underground sources of water), and new wells, to assess the effects of ground and surface water changes due to the large expansion of new housing schemes and climate change.
‘It is absolutely imperative to monitor the level of the aquifers that we utilize to provide consumers with water,’ stated Dr. Van West-Charles, ‘knowledge of the impact of consistently expanding new housing schemes as well as the effects of the prolonged dry weather conditions is critical to the sustainable management of Guyana’s water resources. With this new partnership with the IAST, the company is in a better position to employ technology to monitor and assess the levels of the aquifers’.
Director of IAST, Dr. Narine indicated that the entities will also be collaborating on building the knowledge capacity of GWI. ‘Another important aspect of our partnership will be training,’ stated Dr. Narine, ‘IAST will be providing training to GWI employees in the use of new technology for water quality testing’.
Dr. Van West-Charles concluded that the newly formed partnership between the two entities is part of GWI’s overarching strategic programme to significantly enhance the quality of service provided to customers country-wide.
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