Tardy WASA finally fixes leak

Each week, the Guardian Angel column highlights complaints sent in by you, the consumer, and provides solutions or directs you to the appropriate resource. 

Problem: Dickson Pirtheesingh, from San Fernando, said the blue flex feed line to his house, which stands three houses away from the WASA Hart Street pump station and the Marryat-Naparima Reservoir, developed a leak sometime in March.

Mr Pirtheesingh said, “I called the WASA leak hotline and reported the leak. The following day, someone from WASA passed by and sprayed a green arrow on the road indicating the leak and that was it. “This (leak) occurred because over two years ago, the big WASA main running from the Marryat reservoir burst and ripped up the road in front my home. WASA, in their haphazard repairs, cut the canal to connect a new flex feed line to my house. 

“However, they left it like that without restoring the canal with cement and the open area with the line is run over by vehicles all the time.” Mr Pirtheesingh said he has called WASA South offices several times for assistance but to no avail. Additionally, people passing who get wet ring Mr Pirtheesingh’s doorbell to complain.

Solution: Mr Pirtheesingh’s complaint was relayed to WASA and the leak has been repaired, although road/drainage restoration works are still to be completed.

Problem: Sharmila Debideen said two streetlights near her home on Rest Road, Mayaro, have not been working for several months. 

Solution: Ms Debideen’s complaint was forwarded to the T&TEC Streetlighting Department on May 15, a work crew was sent to the site on May 16 and both lights, according to the department’s records, were repaired. However, Ms Debideen e-mailed us again to say only one of the lights was working. The matter was again referred to the department and a work crew will be sent to check the light pole within a week.