Weeks of complaints reached a head as angry and frustrated residents of Maracas, St Joseph, took to the streets yesterday to express their concern over the lack of water supply for the past six months.
Vehicles grounded to a halt, resulting in miles of gridlock traffic for hours.
Residents also set fires to large piles of debris in protest that they had no water to cook, wash and flush toilets among other necessities.
Police and fire officers were on the scene as they cleared the main road leading into St Joseph.
With the general election in full swing some residents believed the time to act was now.
"Is over six months now we have no water. We tired complain so now we have to do something. Election here and all we are getting is false promises," one man said.
Last week Water Resources Minister Ganga Singh had said it was the harsh dry season which had resulted in the problem.
Lack of rain affecting supply
A statement by Doodnath Bhola, director customer care of WASA, said the pipe-borne water supply continued to be negatively impacted by significantly reduced river flows and production from the two water treatment facilities in the area.
"This as a consequence of a lack of rainfall over the past five months, which still persists though we are officially into the rainy season as declared by the Met Services on May 28.
"The facilities in question are the Lluengo/Naranjo and Acono Water Treatment Plants, which combine to produce 1.5 million gallons a day (mgd) under normal conditions. However, production is currently .75 mgd or half of the normal production capacity."
Immediate steps included the implementation of temporarily adjusted schedules by the end of April, increased water-trucking service to the area, installation of communal tanks in various areas not readily accessible by water trucks.