The Water and Sewerage Authority confirmed in a statement on Tuesday evening that DESALCOTT has resumed supply to the Authority after a one week shutdown for maintenance works.

“Adverse weather conditions in the month of November 2022 negatively impacted several surface water treatment facilities across Trinidad and Tobago. In addition to this, the annual planned maintenance shutdown of the desalinated plant by the privately owned and operated Desalination Company of Trinidad and Tobago (DESALCOTT), presented a further challenge to meeting the demands of our customers in Central and South Trinidad,” WASA said.

Last week, Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales noted he was disappointed that DESALCOTT had ignored a request to postpone the maintenance works to allow flood victims supply to conduct clean-up of their homes. 

WASA assured it is making every effort to ensure supply to communities which were seriously impacted by recent floods. 

The Authority provided the following breakdown:

In Mayaro, resources were redirected from the Navet facility to assist with flood relief efforts. Parts of Penal Rock Road also benefitted from a redirected supply from the Navet Facility.

During the period of the DESALCOTT shutdown, The Caroni Water Treatment Plant remained in full operation and also supplemented supply to areas of south Trinidad.

In St. Augustine, supply remained unaffected with adjustments made to increase pressures to facilitate cleanup efforts.

In Northeast Trinidad, where surface water treatment facilities were most vulnerable, constant monitoring of these facilities and swift restoration and return to service activity, helped alleviate the discomfort faced by customers. The North Oropouche Water Treatment Plant which experienced a breach of the 42” transmission pipeline, was also repaired and service restored to the town of Sangre Grande on Sunday 4th December 2022.

In Cumuto, a ruptured line also affected production at the Cumuto Water Treatment Plant, which was repaired and production resumed on Sunday 4th December 2022. Manzanilla , which is located at the extremity of the North Oropouche Distribution network, is scheduled to receive a supply tomorrow, 7th December 2022.