Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales says water production and distribution have normalised to nearly 95 per cent, bringing an end to the water supply disruptions experienced by an estimated 500,000 people in numerous parts of the country.
But he said he found the cause of the problems “curious” with both the Caroni Water Treatment Plant and the Desalination Company both encountering electrical issues.
Speaking during the Guapo/Cap-de-Ville Pipeline project launch this weekend, Minister Gonzales was asked by Guardian Media whether he suspected sabotage in the wake of the two major disruptions.
“In T&T, anything is possible, and the possibility of sabotage is always there. But you don’t jump to it without any conclusive evidence,” Gonzales said.
He added, “As Minister, I have to be responsible about what I say about these things unless you have evidence to support it.”
Regarding the recent electrical problems at the Desalcott plant in Point Lisas which began on September 2, Gonzales said: “I did find it quite curious that coming out of a major disruption of the Caroni Water Treatment Plant due to electrical issues, and just as WASA was recovering from that, there was another electrical issue at Desalcott.”
From the week of August 25, the Caroni plant encountered electrical issues which warranted emergency repairs.
It saw several parts of north, central and south Trinidad without water for days. After the repairs were completed, thousands of people still experienced low water pressure for days affecting their supply of water.
The problem at the Desalcott plant saw the same areas affected again.
But Gonzales said he was monitoring the situation and investigating the cause noting that “the possibility of sabotage is always there.”
He said he also paid particular attention to the political response to these water supply issues and the ensuing criticism directed at WASA and the Government.
“Notice the political response to it as well and the attack that came to WASA,” Gonzales pointed out.
He elaborated on the reaction to the Desalcott plant being forced to decrease production.
“These politicians recognised that the issues stemmed from the Desalcott plant. Yet they came out and attacked WASA, attacked the Government, and claimed discrimination. It tells you there is always the possibility of sabotage that leads to political opponents capitalising on these activities for their good,” Gonzales said.
Despite the challenges and suspicions surrounding these disruptions, the minister reiterated his commitment to ensuring the country’s water supply.
“I am not fazed by it. We will respond and try to manage the challenge. I think the population of T&T is knowledgeable and understands what is taking place. I am not fazed by the possibility of sabotage taking place on any plant because some people believe that for them to be politically relevant, there must be disruption,” he said.
Remote communities
still without water
Despite the resumption of water flow in the pipelines of the southwestern peninsula, residents in remote areas of Fullarton and Icacos continued to face acute shortages due to four major leaks and illegal tapping of a water main along the Southern Main Road.
In Bamboo Village, Cedros, Guardian Media reporters encountered a concerning situation where a leaking water main had been illicitly tapped using pieces of PVC.
Three trucks loaded with 1,000-gallon tanks queued up waiting to draw water from this unauthorised connection. One driver declined to comment, another drove off. But a third one shared the dire circumstances, explaining that many residents in the region were unable to access water through their pipelines and could not afford to purchase it.
Villagers were vocal about their ongoing water scarcity.
“It’s a whole month we didn’t get water. We have to buy water for $150 per tank. We spend about $2,000 to buy water for the month,” resident Badaye Ramcharan complained.
He said residents have been trying to contact WASA but there has been no reply.
“We are paying our WASA bills. We have no debts, we not owing them and yet we cannot get water,” he said.
Ramcharan described how he waited until midnight on Saturday, hoping for water.
“It came in the taps at 2 am but we didn’t get to fill even a barrel. The water came slow and it went by 4 o’clock,” he lamented.
He noted that schools in the area were also affected.
“Children cannot go to school, we can’t cook. We have a little parlour there and we cannot sell because if there is no water, there is no business,” he said. He noted that even though he had eight water tanks, all of them were empty.
Meanwhile, at Fullarton Beach, Kenrick Moodie said they also have not received water since August.
“We fed up. I have a vehicle which I use to bring water but what about people who don’t have,” he asked.
At Granville Village, Cedros Sunil Sookram complained about the leaking water lines.
“This water has been going on for months now. I want the minister to come to the Granville and Chatham plants, see the condition and meet operators and turncorks,” he said.
He said once WASA releases the water there is wastage.
“Once you pump the water from the plant to the villagers, water wasting because of the leaks. It cannot reach Fullarton and Icacos, the pressure cannot build. There are leaks at the booster station at Bonasse and also a leak in Cedros,” Sookram said.
WASA’s Chief Executive Officer Kelvin Romain told Guardian Media the illegal tapping of water mains was troubling. He said WASA will work assiduously to repair all leaks.
“We are also aware that people have connected water pumps directly to the WASA main which is also illegal,” he added.
He pledged that WASA would investigate these concerns and improve water supply in the peninsula.