$573M plan for better water supply

Beckles said Cabinet agreed to the implementation of a programme of works to improve the water supply to communities in South and Central Trinidad. She said the programme would take place over the next 15 months and would cost Government more than $573 million.

She said Cabinet also agreed to the replacement of the 35-kilometre Navet trunk main and to the upgrade of critical segments of the transmission and distribution network, including 100 kilometres of pipeline and construction of five service reservoirs at Hindustan, Ecklesville, Plaisance Park and Dades Trace, Rio Claro. She said Government also agreed to the installation of 193 kilometres of new pipelines in areas without service. Beckles said the existing Navet Water Works and Transmission was completed in 1962, and a number of leaks were discovered in January last year. She said the leakage was high and it was necessary to replace the main.

Beckles said in the area served by the Navet Water Works, 17.5 percent of the population received a 24-hour supply of water, 36.4 percent got between 120 to 160 hours per week, 64.4 percent received 84 to 120 hours, and 3.8 percent received 58 to 84 hours. She said 26 percent received less than 48 hours of water per week. There were also persons who received no pipe borne water even though they were connected to WASA.