WASA: RIC media reports misleading

The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has described media reports arising out of last Friday’s press conference held by the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) as erroneous and expressed its concern that the Commission did not seek to engage in dialogue prior to the news conference.

A release from the Authority yesterday noted that WASA was committed to complying with existing water guidelines and standards in the discharge of its responsibility to deliver a safe and potable water supply to all its customers. Regarding the pollution incident at the Authority’s Caroni Water Treatment Plant on November 7, WASA maintained that throughout the incident, all water distributed within its network was bacteriologically safe. As indicated by the RIC, the release stated, independent sampling undertaken by the Trinidad Public Health Laboratory confirmed that the supplies were bacteriologically safe.

“WASA’s recommendations have been endorsed by the RIC, particularly those related to the refurbishment of the filters at its Caroni Water Treatment Plant,” the release continued. It further revealed that these recommendations were receiving the active attention of the Authority’s management and would be presented to the Board at its next meeting for the necessary funding and approvals. It went on to note that WASA was currently working closely with the Environmental Management Authority to develop strategies to limit pollution-causing activities within the Caroni river and its tributaries, with an aim towards mitigating against future occurrences. However, the release maintained, WASA remained committed to working with the RIC in ensuring the delivery of a safe and potable water supply.