WASA: No raw sewage in water supply

The Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (WASA) in a release yesterday stated that at no time was the water supplied to customers contaminated by raw sewage, following media reports that the Caroni Water Treatment Plant (WTP) was polluted.

Throughout the incident reported on November 7, 2003, all water distributed within its supply network was bacteriologically safe, WASA said, and the water supplied to the distribution network passed through the full treatment process at the plant, inclusive of disinfection. WASA said that in the event of “extreme” events such Standard Operating Procedures at the Caroni WTP require the chemist to advise on appropriate treatment measures. The Authority has also informed of current plans to review the treatment process at the Caroni WTP with a view to upgrade treatment efficiency and the installation of a pollution monitoring device. WASA reiterated its commitment to work with the Environmental Management Authority to develop strategies to limit pollution-causing activities within the river as well as its tributaries, with an aim toward mitigating against future occurrences.