Water woes in South, Central

LA BREA Member of Parliament Hedwige Bereaux yesterday slammed state utility WASA (the Water and Sewerage Authority) for what he termed as an “unsatisfactory” approach in dealing with the water shortage which for the past two weeks has affected thousands of residents in south and central Trinidad.

“This is unsatisfactory. It is a long time since I have seen the water situation in the country get so terrible and I believe the situation could have been handled in a better and more professional manner by the water authority,” Bereaux said.

Bereaux suggested that WASA should have properly informed citizens of the situation via a public statement. “I believe even if there is a problem with water the people should be advised by public statement and told when to expect to receive a normal supply of water,” the MP said.

He suggested that WASA issue a schedule in similar situations, “There should have been a water schedule issued in this instance and there should be in the future.”

“Maybe there was one this time, but I am sure that it was not kept. If there is a schedule one should be informed when there is one existing, when it is not being kept and also when it has recommenced” Bereaux added.

Bereaux said that letters were sent to Public Utilities Minister Pennelope Beckles and WASA Chief Executive Officer Errol Grimes concerning the worsening water situation, but he added, up to yesterday, there was no response from these two.

However, even while Bereaux was making known his feelings on the matter, executive chairman of the Desalination Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Desalcott) Hafeez Karamath said the affected residents should expect relief since production levels at the Desalination Plant in Point Lisas were expected to return to normal, as of last night.

Desalcott supplies desalinated sea water to WASA, primarily for the Point Lisas Industrial Estate.

On the evening of April 7, operations at the Plant broke down due to technical difficulties, leaving thousands of residents throughout the country without a supply of pipe borne water. Residents in some 20 areas in south and central Trinidad were affected the most.

As a result of the continued shortfall in production since the Plant’s breakdown WASA’s resources have had to be shared between industrial and domestic consumers. The situation left residents in some areas not even with a truck borne supply of water.

In a statement released late yesterday, WASA claimed that the problem at the Plant was ongoing and in an attempt to minimise the impact of the deficit, it said that it has been redistributing water from its major production facilities.

WASA stated that in the interim it has been able to maintain an ample supply to the Point Lisas Industrial Estate to facilitate continuous operation of the industries on the estate.