The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has condemned what it describes as a “brazen” wave of criminal vandalism and theft targeting its infrastructure, following incidents at several locations in south Trinidad.
According to the Authority, between midnight and 4 am yesterday, unknown perpetrators removed brass couplings from water service connections at 13 locations along Mt Pleasant Road, Carolina, Springvale and Carolina Village.
The latest incident follows a similar occurrence on March 26, when five service connections were vandalised and stolen along Tambu Road West in Springvale, Claxton Bay. WASA said those connections have since been repaired.
In a statement issued yesterday, WASA said it was “outraged by these repeated, brazen attacks on public infrastructure,” noting that such acts disrupt its ability to deliver a reliable water supply.
WASA said it has since increased security presence at key facilities across the country and activated a dedicated Vandalism Hotline at 465-2949 for members of the public to report suspicious activity near its installations.
It also confirmed that repair works have begun at all affected sites to restore water service.
The Authority reminded that vandalism of public property is a criminal offence under the Summary Offences Act and the Malicious Damage Act, with offenders liable to fines and imprisonment.
It urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to the hotline or the nearest police station.
Earlier this month a WASA employee was among nine people detained in connection with the vandalism of four critical wells in Tobago, an attack that severely disrupted the island’s water supply in March.
Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath had said production was restored to normal levels after the attack which was described as an act of “domestic terrorism.”
Vandals targeted electrical cables and T&TEC meters at the end of March, lashing production by more than 100,000 gallons per day.
The damage resulted in a daily loss of 2.1 million gallons of water, leaving 17 communities facing dry taps or reduced pressure.
