Shaik Baksh paid a visit to a new water refilling station in Pouderoyen, where residents lined up with five-gallon jugs, paying just $100 to fill each one with clean, treated water — a fraction of what they used to spend. This small price is part of a big shift in Guyana, where the government is making clean water more accessible and affordable for thousands of people. Across the country, 14 new wells are being drilled in four regions to keep up with growing communities and ensure no household is left behind. Six wells will go into Region Four, four into Region Six, three into Region Three, and one into Region Ten. These wells are not just about supply — they’re about keeping pace with new housing projects and giving families reliable water as their towns expand.
The work is led by the Ministry of Housing and the Central Housing and Planning Authority, with support from Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). CEO Shaik Baksh said the push comes straight from President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who wants every Guyanese person to have dependable, low-cost water. "This is an initiative to serve the people of Guyana and to make water affordable to the people," Baksh said. That mission is taking shape in two ways: building long-term infrastructure like wells, and creating immediate solutions like water refilling stations.
Already, stations are running in Lima, Port Mourant, Pouderoyen, and Vergenoegen, with plans to open two or three more in each region. Bartica and Linden will be next. At these stations, clean water is no longer a luxury. For just $100, families get a full five-gallon container — a price that makes safe drinking water possible for more people every day. GWI reports that the stations are already a success, with high turnout and steady use.
The impact goes beyond convenience. In fast-growing areas, water systems often lag behind new homes. These wells help close that gap. They also reduce pressure on existing systems, which means fewer outages and lower costs over time. For families who once paid much more for delivered or bottled water, the savings add up quickly. And for children, better water access means fewer illnesses and healthier communities.
This dual approach — investing in infrastructure while offering affordable daily access — shows how smart planning can meet both short- and long-term needs. As Guyana grows, its water system is growing with it. And with more stations on the way and wells being drilled, the vision of clean water for all is becoming real, one refill at a time.