WASA shuts down eight plants

Thousands along the East-West Corridor were left without water yesterday as heavy rains churned up high levels of sediment at several water treatment plants, forcing the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to shut them down.

WASA also had to close a reservoir on the North Coast because of a power outage. The showers led to flooding in low-lying communities and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) has warned that more showers are expected today.

WASA general manager of operations Wayne Joseph said seven plants had to be closed because of discolouration or “high turbidity” of the water supplies. The eighth plant, Tyrico Water Works, lost power, he added.

All of the plants were operational for a short time yesterday but persistent rain and thunder showers forced WASA to shut down once again. They were expected to be fully operational last night once rains ceased.

The affected plants were:

* Tompire Water Works in Toco

* Acono Water Works in Maracas, St Joseph

* Quare Booster Station in Arima

* St.Anns’s Reservoir

* Guanapo Water Works

* Caura Water Works

* Las Cuevas Water Works

* Tyrico Water Works.

As a result several communities, among them Valencia, Arima, El Dorado Gardens, Buena Vista Gardens, Saddle Road, Maraval, Ariapita Road, Wallerfield, Cumana Village and Toco, were without water for most of yesterday.

Meanwhile the Water Resources Agency, in an ODPM weather update, reported that there was flooding in the vicinity of Grand Bazaar, St Helena and Freeman Road, near the Caroni cremation site, as the Caroni River overflowed its northern bank.

While the Caparo and South Oropouche rivers were still rising, the Guanapo river began to recede yesterday afternoon, said the ODPM, which activiated its emergency plans nationwide.

Regional corporations conducted assessments of the water levels in flood-prone areas and members of the National Task Force were alerted and assisted in the response to affected persons, it added.

ODPM officials were in meetings last evening when the Tacarigua office was contacted for details about rescues, and what help had to be given to affected households.

The Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation also advised, via a bulletin yesterday, that residents of St Helena, Kelly Village, El Carmen, Caroni, Manuel Congo, Arima and La Horquetta were at risk of flooding and should take steps to protect livestock and property. Residents should also make arrangements to get to shelters should flood levels continue to rise.

The corporation said shelters are situated at community centres, primary and junior secondary schools throughout Tunapuna/Piarco.

Newsday also received a report that gusty winds ripped six sheets of galvanise off the roof of the Jean Pierre Complex in Port-of-Spain. According to an official at the complex, the sheets, all ten feet in length, came off the western end of the complex and landed safely in the car park.

No water damage occurred within the complex and no one was injured by the flying sheets. Repairs are expected to be completed today.

There were also reports of fallen trees in Arima, Port-of-Spain, Debe, Maraval and Mt Hope, but these were cleared by the Fire Services. No injuries or fatalities were reported as a result of these incidents. The ODPM said electricity and telephone wires were pulled down when a tree collapsed at Blanchisseuse Road in Arima.

Traffic was able to pass along the 5.5 km mark on Lopinot Road and in St Michael Village in St Augustine although there were landslides in those areas.

Regional corporation workers cleared debris by the end of the day. Another landslip also occurred in Malick, threatening a house but no damage was reported.