Sewer plant gets green light

Chief Secretary Orville London confirmed this during last week’s post Executive Council media briefing at the Administrative Complex, Calder Hall.

According to the Chief Secretary, upgrading the plant is necessary, as it is currently functioning “under capacity”.

London said funding was originally identified, which included connecting a number of homes in Scarborough and Environs to the treatment network. The project, he said, was “frustrated by another regime”, but it now has the go-ahead.

“We’re happy to say that this funding is now released, and that project, the refurbishment of the sewer treatment plant and the connection of the households in that area, (will take place),” London said.

The Chief Secretary revealed that the project is expected to begin within the next two months.

The Chief Secretary also assured a better water supply for 2017.

He also noted that Tobago’s water supply had improved since last year, according to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA).

In 2015 and 2016, the island faced harsh dry seasons, which led to significant depletion of its surface water stores.

But Chief Secretary Orville London said he’s been updated by WASA, which is reporting improvement in water levels.

London said: “The situation at this point in time in 2017 according to the WASA officials is much better than it was at the same time in 2016.

The Hillsborough Dam is at 100 per cent capacity. The Courland area, which is where we have a lot of our problems, that is functioning better than it was last year...

and with the refurbishing London said the improvement doesn’t mean there won’t be supply challenges.

WASA has promised a better water supply system, further upgrading of wells across the island, the de-silting of the Hillsborough Dam and the desalination plant in south west Tobago, for which the Chief Secretary said a procurement process will be “finalised”.