The struggle is dry pipes

THE EDITOR: Water is life. It transcends political affiliations and serves all without bias. Yet the reality of water supply is riddled with inequities. Some communities have access to standpipes, while others eagerly await the 2 am whistle from WASA to fill their containers.

Still, some rely on water trucks for their needs, supposedly provided free of charge by WASA. And then there are those fortunate enough to have an endless supply, oblivious to the struggles of their less fortunate neighbours. The tale of the thirsty crow comes to mind, where necessity drives ingenuity and resilience.

Water scarcity is not a new issue; it has been persistent under several political administrations. Communities have evolved for generations, developing plans to deal with the unpredictable supply.

The everyday struggle to obtain water affects household habits and way-of-life decisions, demonstrating the tenacity of Trinidadians. This resiliency, though, also draws attention to a structural shortcoming that fails to meet a basic need. It emphasises how urgently infrastructure has to be improved and that these shortcomings need to be addressed.

Due to ongoing water shortages, bottled water companies have prospered, turning a basic human necessity into successful businesses. In a similar vein, the market for water tanks has flourished as families purchase storage options to get through dry seasons.

This business success exposes a concerning dependency in which the public good of access to water has been reduced to a commodity. It reminds me of the efforts made by a thirsty crow, who searches for answers out of pure need, frequently at great expense.

Families should "simply" buy tanks and stop depending on government assistance, according to critics. Even with tanks, though, people frequently require trucked water from WASA to replenish the tanks – just like the parched crow stacking stones.

Our grandparents repeatedly said, "Drip drip water does fill bucket," but a drip must initially exist. This demonstrates how complicated the problem is – it involves more than just storage – and the need for a steady supply of clean water. To solve a problem that has afflicted generations, the situation demands co-operation.

This is not a criticism of any particular party. Rather, it is an appeal to all those who possess the ability to alleviate this persistent problem. To guarantee equitable distribution, the Government and its partners in the business sector must give priority to modernising and maintaining the water infrastructure.

The era of "empty bucket, knock a bottle, burn a tyre, block a road protests" is over, and we should now concentrate on working together to find solutions. Many people's voices and hardships call for a concerted effort to bring about long-lasting change.

It is true that "who feels it knows it" establishes the importance or immediacy of a problem and the degree of urgency with which it must be resolved. Nevertheless, I have hope in individuals who can unite, set aside partisanship, and prioritise the good of the people and the nation.

In conclusion, we are reminded by an African proverb that "Once you carry our own water, you will value every drop," and that the people living in these areas "know the value of each drop."

S BENOIS-SELMAN

Woodbrook