Desalcott supplies drop

Taps throughout central and south Trinidad ran dry yesterday despite assurances from Public Utilities Minister, Pennelope Beckles, that the water shortage had been rectified as supplies from the desalination plant rose once more.

Beckles said the plant, based at the Pt Lisas Industrial Estate, whose customers it supplies, had resumed full production of 24 million gallons a day.

But WASA in a statement given late Saturday night, disclosed the output had plummeted to 3.6 million a day, as of 4 pm that day.

WASA said, “further technical difficulties” had reduced the plant’s operating capacity once more.

“Based on information provided by Desalcott it is estimated that the problem would be resolved within the next 24 hours,” WASA stated.

“During this period, the authority has been forced again to redistribute its supply from Caroni, Navet and North Oropouche water treatment plants to the affected areas to supplement the deficit caused by the reduction in production at the Desalination plant,” WASA added.

The authority stated its truck borne supply would continue to affected areas and was also seeking to acquire “additional trucks to augment the supply.”

During last Friday’s sitting of Parliament, Beckles stated that the water shortage was over having visited the plant with WASA officials on Thursday.