Arima mayor cries out to WASA, EMA: Crack down on illegal quarrying

Arima mayor Lisa Morris-Julian is calling for a collaboration between the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to crack down on illegal quarrying in the borough which is affecting the water supply in some areas.

In an interview yesterday, Morris-Julian said while burgesses were without water, WASA was delivering water to a bikini car wash while the people remained with an inefficient water supply.

She said areas of Calvary Hill, Mt Pleasant and Eleanor Gardens were affected by the shortage of pipe-borne water.

“The water situation in Arima is much bigger than a bikini car wash and it is my hope the relevant authorities can pay more attention to do what is necessary for the people of Arima.

“We forwarded some suggestions and hope WASA will pay attention, for example, crack down on illegal quarrying, which is currently affecting the Guanapo River.

The pumps break down every few days because of the large amount of gravel and sand that pass through the system.”

She said they also needed the EMA to assist. “There are so many different factors that are making it impossible to get a decent water supply. If we could only get them to pay attention and to help us come up with a solution, the borough will be fine.”

In a press release, WASA said, after investigating recent reports about the delivery of a truck-borne water supply for a car wash event in Calvary, Arima, on October 28, it had determined that established procedures for request and delivery were not followed.

The authority said it was undertaking a formal investigation and appropriate disciplinary action would be taken on the basis of the findings.

It also apologised to its customers in Calvary and other parts of Arima for “this unfortunate incident,” as well as for the inconsistent pipe-borne water supply to the general area over the last three weeks.

WASA said, “This situation developed due to turbid river conditions at the Guanapo Water Treatment Plant (WTP), associated with recent heavy rainfall.

The authority wishes to assure customers that despite the ongoing challenges at its Guanapo WTP, every effort is being made to regularise their pipe-borne water supply in the shortest possible time.”