April 27, 2017:
WASA Chairman – Romney Thomas, delivered the following statement at a press conference held at the Authority’s Head Office, St. Joseph, today – Thursday 27th April 2017:
With the advent of the 2017 Dry Season, the Water and Sewerage Authority has been implementing its 2017 Water Supply and Conservation Plan, with the aim of prudently managing the country’s available water resources.
I wish to underscore that the Authority consistently plans for the possible impacts of the Dry Season each year and executes those plans based on the conditions that unfold. This year is no different, as the Authority has been monitoring the impact of the Dry Season on our available water resources throughout the season thus far and implementing the relevant strategies as necessary.
It is important to note that over the years, there have been notable changes in our weather, with drier and more intense Dry Seasons, while the Wet Seasons have not yielded the normal levels of rainfall. So far for April, there has been an average of seventy-six (76) percent less rainfall in the area of the Authority’s four main impounding reservoirs - Arena, Navet and Hollis in Trinidad and Hillsborough in Tobago.
Notwithstanding this, the levels at all four impounding reservoirs are favourable at this time when compared to the respective Long Term Averages, with Hollis being at 57.5% as compared to a long term average of 54.2%, Arena at 71.5% compared to 62.6%, Navet at 66.8% as compared to 59.0% and Hillsborough in Tobago at 79.3% as compared to 63.2%.
The Dry Season conditions are however, having a significant impact on several of the Authority’s surface water sources, resulting in an overall loss in production of approximately 25 million gallons per day system-wide.
To respond to this situation, the Authority has taken steps to increase production levels where possible and redistribute supplies to meet the needs of customers. Production was previously increased at the Point Lisas Desalination Plant by approximately 2 million gallons daily.
As of April 25th 2017, production has been increased at the Caroni and Hollis Water Treatment Plants in Trinidad and Hillsborough Water Treatment Plant in Tobago by approximately 11.3 million gallons daily.
While this is possible utilizing water that has been stored in impounding reservoirs, some smaller localized surface water sources in areas such as Lopinot, Maracas-St. Joseph, Las Cuevas, Santa Cruz, Maraval and Penal have also seen significant reductions in the levels of water available.
In Tobago, water production is normally 15.3 million gallons daily, however at present it is 11.2 million gallons daily. This deficit in supply of approximately 27%, has occurred due to reduced production at facilities such as Courland, Kings Bay and Hillsborough West Water Treatment Plants, which are producing at 5%, 40% and 35% of capacity respectively.
To mitigate against these impacts, the Authority has been implementing various aspects of its Water Supply Plans including redistribution of water to areas affected by the dry season conditions. To achieve this, revised Water Supply Schedules have been developed and will be published in the Express and on WASA’s website and Facebook page on Friday April 28th 2017. We will make advance copies available to you.
This would be complemented by increased levels of water trucking if there are shortfalls in the pipe-borne water service.
The Authority will continue to liaise closely with stakeholders including Members of Parliament, Councillors, community representatives and residents.
Water restrictions introduced in Tobago since August 2016 remain in force as the Authority continues to monitor the available water resources on both islands. If necessary, water restrictions will also be instituted in Trinidad. However we are working towards maintaining the schedule.
Going forward, other measures will be instituted to improve on reliability of supply to vulnerable communities such as Moruga through source development and distribution network upgrade.
We encourage customers to conserve to ensure continued availability of water to all for the remainder of the Dry Season.
END
For further information, please contact:
Corporate Communications Department
Water and Sewerage Authority
Tel: (868) 662-2302-7 ext 2314