The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is emphasising the importance of its responsible water-use habits and practices as it prepares for a shutdown of the desalination plant at Pt Lisas for maintenance in the new year.
This shutdown, between January 15 and 24, will have a significant impact on WASA's overall water supply in Trinidad, the company said in a media release.
In response, WASA has instituted plans that involve redistributing supply and managing its schdule, which it says will minimise the impact on customers.
The plant is run by the Desalination Company (Desalcott).
WASA said in its release that the desalination plant provides 30 mgd of desalinated water, which is used to supply the Pt Lisas Industrial Estate and to augment the supply to areas in central and south Trinidad.
WASA said during the shutdown and throughout the 2013 dry season, the consumer "has a critical role in terms of water-use habits and practices."
Consumers are asked to:
•manage their water use efficiently by reducing consumption and also eliminating wasteful practices
•address problems of leaks and overflowing water tanks at home and in business places
•and maintain/establish a system of storage.
The media release said WASA, as part of its water supply programme for 2013, had developed a plan that took into consideration the supply shortfall from Desalcott as well as significantly reduced rainfall associated with the dry season.
WASA said consumers could expect regular updates from the company as needed.