WASA will sink 26 new wells this year as part a water expansion programme geared to ensure that every household in Trinidad and Tobago receives a consistent 24-hour supply of pipe borne of water at least three days a week.
A release issued by the Authority today confirmed that the programme already is underway, noting that it is one of a suite of ongoing transformation initiatives currently being implemented by WASA to improve its service delivery and overall efficiency.
“Projects include the replacement and upgrading of pipelines across the country; a leak management programme, the replacement and digitalization of valves and boosters to facilitate remote monitoring and intervention; the ongoing Community Water Improvement Programme (CWIP), and several other technology upgrades,” WASA explained.
At present, wells have been completed successfully in Freeport, Las Lomas and Granville, which are now providing residents in these areas with an additional 1.1 million, 350,000 and 110,000 imperial gallons per day, respectively.
WASA reports that in the Freeport supply zone, approximately 23,000 households are benefitting with some receiving a 24/7 supply. In Las Lomas and surrounding areas, some 5,200 residents are benefitting from the new well, with supply improvements ranging from three days a week to five.
Meanwhile, in Granville, the additional water will be treated at the Granville Water Treatment before being distributed to surrounding areas Coromandel, Bamboo and Pepper Village, and as far south as Cedros and environs.
“Approximately 9,800 residents will benefit,” WASA notes in the release. “The level of supply is expected to move from 24 hours, one day a week to 24 hours, three days a week.”
WASA Chairman Ravi Nanga said one of WASA’s critical imperatives is to address the immediate needs of customers that are currently unserved and underserved:
“There are several communities in areas where the provision of a consistent supply water is quite challenging for any of several reasons, either because of topography, or poor planning, or sheer distance from a water source. We have prioritized these areas and are working assiduously to ensure residents all receive a consistent pipe borne supply at least three days a week.”
WASA says 20 of the 26 wells are being funded from the Ministry of Public Utilities PSIP. These projects are expected to produce approximately 4,430,000 gallons per day and benefit over 30,000 persons. Three of these currently are in progress in the Mayaro (Well#18 & #19) and Granville (Well B) supply zones.
The Authority notes that another six wells are being funded as part of the Interamerican Development Bank’s (IDB) water expansion programme. These wells are expected to produce 1,840,000 gallons per day and benefit approximately 20,000 persons.
Wells funded by the Ministry of Public Utilities Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP)
1. Carapal A (0.17 IMGD)
2. Carapal B (0.17 IMGD)
3. Valencia #1 (0.8 IMGD)
4. Talparo #2 (0.45 IMGD)
5. Wallerfield #20 (0.53 IMGD)
6. Wallerfield #21 (0.46 IMGD)
7. Los Bajos 1B (0.17 IMGD)
8. Los Bajos 2B (0.17 IMGD)
9. Waddle 1 (0.17 IMGD)
10. Palo Seco A (0.17 IMGD)
11. Palo Seco B (0.17 IMGD)
12. Carapal C (0.17 IMGD)
13. Carapal D (0.17 IMGD)
14. Carapal E (0.17 IMGD)
15. Mayaro #18 (012 IMGD)
16. Mayaro #20 (0.12 IMGD)
17. Arouca #13 (0.30 IMGD)
18. Granville B (0.17 IMGD)
19. Granville C (0.15 IMGD)
20. Signal Hill/Orange Hill Tobago (0.3 IMGD)
Communities that will benefit include:
• Valencia #1 – Vega De Oropouche and environs where approximately 5675 persons will access an improved supply from 24/2 to 24/7
• Talparo#2 – Talparo and environs where approximately 5175 persons will benefit with an improved supply from 24/2 to 24/4
• Waller Field #20 and #21 – Cumuto and environs where approximately 5943 persons will access an improved supply from 24/2 to 24/4
• Carapal A, B, C, D, E, Palo Seco A &B, Los Bajos 1B &2B and Waddle communities along the S.S. Erin Road such as Erin, Carapal, Rancho Quemado, Waddle Village, Quarry Village, Los Bajos, Palo Seco and Beach Camp where approximately 12,465 persons will benefit from an improved supply to 24/5
• Mayaro #18 and #20 – Communities served by the Mayaro WTP such as Peter Hill, Solomon, Alexis and Panhandle Street, Mafeking, Cedar Grove Village, Manzanilla Road., Lewis and Sucre Street, Plaisance Village, Gill St., St. Ann’s Road and side streets benefiting from an improved supply from 24/1 to 24/2 as well as Mayaro Town centre improving to a 24/3
• Arouca #13 approximately 3375, persons in Upper Khandahar Village and Upper Five Rivers who will access an improved supply from 12/2 to 24/3
• Granville B&C approximately 3600 persons in the communities of Cedros and Icacos will benefit from an improved supply of 24/5.
Wells being funded under the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) programme
1. Freeport #22 (0.42 IMGD)
2. Freeport #23 (0.42 IMGD)
3. Freeport #24 (0.42 IMGD)
4. Tucker Valley #34 (0.22 IMGD)
5. Clarke Road #9 (0.14 IMGD)
6. Chatham #15 (0.22 IMGD)
Among the communities to benefit are:
• Freeport 22, 23 and 24 approximately 9450 persons to benefit from the additional water supplied to residents of Freeport, Gran Couva, Mayo, Tortuga, Pepper Village, Calcutta #1, Calcutta #2, Calcutta #3, Chickland Village, Siewdass Road, Preysal
• Tucker Valley #34 approximately 2475 persons to benefit from the additional water supplied to residents of Carenage, Scorpion Village, L’anse Mitan, Chaguaramas, the Park/Glencoe and Goodwood Park, West Vale Park, Sanora Park, Pt. Cumuna
• Clarke Road #9 approximately 1350 persons to benefit from the additional water supplied to the residents of Lachoos Road, Goodman Trace, Smart Avenue, Legal Trace, Mohan Maraj Trace, Hilltop Avenue, Sunset Avenue, Solomon Knox, Debedial, Clarke Road, Bhaarattie Trace and Oliverie Drive
• Chatham #15 approximately 2475 persons to benefit from the additional water supplied to residents of Chatham North Trace, Unity Road, Augustusville, Coromandel Road, Southern Main Road from Cap de Ville Junction to Point Coco Ext. Junction.