Opposition Senator Mark slams WASA

Opposition Senator Wade Mark on Wednesday accused the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) of being “cold and unresponsive” to the cries of the population. Mark based his charge on a High Court judgement in which WASA was ordered to pay two people $2.2 million in compensation, for damages to their home in Princes Town.

Mark made his statement during a meeting between the Public Utilities Ministry and members of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) at Tower D of the Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre. WASA is one of seven agencies which report to the ministry.

Mark also said WASA was ordered by the court to pay an elderly couple $1.1 million, after that couple made certain complaints against it. After asking if it had any similar cases pending in court, Mark said WASA is a “utility that depends on the taxpayers for its survival.”

Reiterating that WASA was being “insensitive” to citizens’ pleas for water, Mark claimed WASA believes it is, “a monopoly provider.” In response, WASA CEO Dr Ellis Burris said, “We are trying our best.”

He said WASA has aged infrastructure which could be subject to breakage. Burris admitted there is approximately 50 percent leakage from its water lines. He said WASA is seeking to undertake night shift works to repair water leaks.

Ministry project manager Arlene Johnson-Lawrence said WASA will soon launch an app which will allow citizens to take pictures of water leaks and send them to WASA. She said the app will also enable citizens to request truck borne water supplies. Johnson-Lawrence also said WASA has a

Ministry deputy permanent secretary Gary Joseph said there had to be transformation at WASA. “It can’t be business as usual,” he said. Joseph said while there could be personnel changes, the “hardest one to treat with is that cultural shift.” Joseph said WASA has been working with a particular culture which has not changed over several years. Burris also said a matter involving alleged false cheques from WASA is currently under police investigation.