President Irfaan Ali has signalled a policy push to reduce Guyana’s reliance on imported bottled water, urging that all bottled water consumed locally be produced domestically within the next year.
The call was made on Saturday during the commissioning of the Five Miles Water Treatment Plant in Bartica, where the President said the country’s abundant freshwater resources should translate into greater local production and lower costs for consumers. He noted that it was inconsistent for a country with significant water reserves to depend on imported bottled supplies and encouraged authorities to establish clear targets to expand domestic output.
Ali indicated that achieving this objective would require collaboration between government and private investors, as well as more efficient production models. He suggested that shared infrastructure — such as plastic bottle manufacturing — could help avoid duplication of investment, improve economies of scale and make locally bottled water more competitive.
Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has estimated that with streamlined operations, treated and bottled water produced locally could retail at about $100 per bottle or less. The President emphasised that reducing production costs is essential so that affordable potable water becomes widely available to residents and visitors alike.
Beyond the bottled water initiative, Ali highlighted the broader economic potential of Guyana’s water resources. He said water management must be integrated into national development planning, particularly as global forecasts point to increasing scarcity in some regions. In this context, he encouraged the adoption of integrated water resource management approaches to maximise the country’s freshwater assets.
The President also underscored the role of the newly established water sector framework in expanding access to treated water while supporting economic diversification, arguing that improved water services can strengthen communities, stimulate investment and contribute to long-term national development.
While the announcement signals an ambitious direction for the sector, observers note that the feasibility of eliminating imported bottled water within a year will depend on production capacity, private sector response and regulatory alignment — factors that will ultimately determine whether the target is realised or remains aspirational.
The Five Miles Water Treatment Plant is expected to enhance water supply in Bartica and surrounding areas, forming part of ongoing efforts to modernise Guyana’s water infrastructure and improve service delivery nationwide.
