The dry season has led to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) making further adjustments to its water supply schedules because of a reduction in the production of millions of gallons of water.
In a statement issued yesterday, WASA explained that dry weather and a lack of rainfall led to a ten per cent production shortfall in water supply. WASA said this loss in production accounts for nearly 25 million gallons of water per day.
It means that while WASA has been making adjustments throughout the 2024 dry season, such as along the transmission and distribution pipeline networks, amended schedules, the introduction of new groundwater sources in some areas, and expanded water trucking service, some places across the country will soon see even less water in their taps.
WASA said the new schedule changes were primarily due to a production shortfall from 20 to 17 million gallons of water per day at the North Oropouche Water Treatment Plant which supplies northeastern Trinidad and the Navet Water Treatment Plant, which saw a drop in production from 19 to 16 million gallons of water per day. That plant supplies several parts of central and southeastern Trinidad.
WASA also said a combined production reduction from 4.6 to 2.7 million gallons of water per day at the Courland, Richmond, Kings Bay and Hillsborough West water treatment plants, means Tobago has not been left unscathed.
The T&T Meteorological Service has stated that most of Trinidad received below-normal rainfall during the months of January, February and March. Piarco’s monthly totals were 48.1 mm, 3.5 mm and 17.0 mm. Tobago received below-normal rainfall during January and February with monthly totals of 49.0 mm and 3.9 mm.
WASA said in its statement, “As the country continues to cope with the effects of the harsh conditions associated with the 2024 dry season, the authority has been taking the necessary steps to prudently manage the country’s available water resources.”
The new water supply schedules are on WASA’s website and social media pages.