Emergency cutback at Point Lisas desalination plant

CUSTOMERS in parts of Central and South/West Trinidad will experience a disruption in their regular pipe-borne water supply because of a cutback in production at the Point Lisas desalination plant.

A release from the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) said the plant was producing ten million gallons per day (mgd), just 25 per cent of its capacity.

The Desalination Company (Desalcott) normally supplies WASA with 40 mgd for the Point Lisas Industrial Estate, and also to augment the supply to areas in Central and South/West Trinidad. This disruption will significantly impact the authority’s water-distribution capacity to supply its customers.

When contacted yesterday, WASA’s corporate communications manager Daniel Plenty said the authority was only notified about the situation that morning.

“At this time they don’t know what the issue is. WASA was alerted about the problem only this morning. They are still trying to assess the problem at this time. We will issue further details as they are released to us.”

To ease the effects of this supply shortfall on operations, WASA will be re-distributing supplies from its Caroni and Navet water treatment plants, and also implement temporary supply schedules.

WASA advised customers to manage their water use efficiently, as it may take 24 to 36 hours for the supply to normalise to some affected areas, after the plant returned to full operation.

The areas affected included: Caroni, St Helena, Charlieville, Chaguanas, Cunupia, Carapichaima, Claxton Bay, Marabella, Gasparillo, Vistabella, Gulf View, Union Hall, La Romaine, Palmiste, Phillipine, Rambert Village, Woodland, Fyzabad, San Francique and Cocoyea.

For further information or assistance, customers are encouraged to contact WASA’s customer call centre toll free at 800-4420/26. A limited truck-borne water service will be available with priority given to special homes, health care and government institutions.