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The water woes of T&T WASA

The Editor ,
T&T Guardian

Since achieving independence, Trinidad and Tobago has experienced a significant loss of approximately 40% of its potable water due to leaks in a British-installed infrastructure that has been in place for over a century.This system consists of approximately 5,000km of​lead pipelines spread across the two islands.The phenomenon continues to persist in the present day. Certain populations experience a prolonged absence of water, ranging from several weeks to several months. Daily protests are frequently reported in newspapers.

During a public address held in Bon Air on March 8, 2022, Marvin Gonzales, the Minister of Public Utilities, conveyed that the Government had allocated an expenditure over $23 billion towards the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) between the years 2010 and March 2022. The majority of these funds were primarily allocated towards remunerations for personnel and the procurement of desalinated water.A total of 25 million gallons of desalinated water is supplied to the household grid. The government's expenditure on desalinated water amounts to US$1.25 per cubic meter, while the selling price to residential customers is set at US$0.03 per cubic meter.

The minister proposed implementation of modular water treatment facilities as a viable resolution to the nation's water supply challenges.According to his statement,it mentioned that he had engaged in close collaboration with the Canadian High Commission. Furthermore, he indicated that his ministry was on the verge of finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of a pioneering modular water treatment facility. This facility is projected to possess the capability of generating a daily output of 5 million gallons, with an anticipated completion date set for October 2022.Mr. Gonzales is required to communicate the current status of the proposal to construct modular water treatment facilities in proximity to water sources to the relevant stakeholders.

The underlying issues of WASA extend beyond its utility function, as it operates as a state-owned corporation receiving significant subsidies and is accountable to the Minister of Public Utilities, who in turn reports to the Cabinet.
Hence, the responsibility for the inability to convert WASA into an entity capable of providing potable water to every family in Trinidad and Tobago lies entirely with successive administrations that have both made and failed to fulfill commitments about the revitalization of this utility during the past fifty years.
Over the ​last weekend, the desalination facility situated on the Point Lisas Industrial Estate had a cessation of operations due to electrical complications, resulting in an approximate impact on the livelihoods of 250,000 individuals residing in the regions of Central and South Trinidad.
​Then the preceding weekend, a considerable number of customers residing in various regions of North, Central, and South Trinidad experienced adverse effects due to an issue that arose at the raw water electrical control station situated at the Caroni Water Treatment Plant.

Additionally, it is necessary to provide clarification about the allocation of the US$80 million water-sector loan sanctioned by the Inter-American Development Bank for Trinidad and Tobago. Specifically, he should address whether it would be more advantageous to allocate these funds towards enhancing the functionality of current water treatment facilities. He asserts that certain plants are now running at only 50 percent of their capacity.The chronic and longstanding incapacity of the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to deliver an efficient and dependable water supply to Trinidad and Tobago has significant implications for both the general population and the business community, particularly those operating within the Point Lisas estate. This issue not only impacts the lives of thousands of individuals but also has the potential to affect numerous businesses that contribute substantial tax revenue to the Government.
The government of Trinidad and Tobago made the decision to close down Caroni and subsequently PetroTrin due to the significant depletion of the national finances. Should (WASA) be considered for shutdown, given its perceived inefficiency and the government's apparent inability to address the associated challenges?

Excerpts from various T&T Newspapers
Central bank Economic bulletin

In reply to sgtdjones

The editor ever say thanks?

In reply to Halliwell

Pure slander promoted by cc.com

Link Text

Will we get an apology and retraction?

In reply to tablets to La Romaine students
You are already in a court case with the RC church here

In reply to Halliwell

On occasions they respond,should I post the responses so you can advise them to sue me?

It is widely acknowledged that the transmission of water through lead pipes results in the presence of lead pollution.Lead is a potent neurotoxic substance, so signifying that the exposure to lead has the potential to inflict harm upon the brain.
Excessive intake of lead, whether from consumption of water or other means, can result in significant health complications. Exposure to this substance has the potential to induce detrimental effects on both the brain and kidneys, while also impeding the synthesis of erythrocytes responsible for oxygen transportation throughout the entire organism.
According to experts, it has been established that there exists no level of lead exposure that can be considered safe. The consumption of this substance is deemed detrimental to one's health, particularly in the case of individuals in the developmental stage such as youngsters, as well as expectant moms. According to the Centres for Disease Control, there is evidence to suggest that lead, even at minimal concentrations, can have detrimental effects on cognitive abilities such as intelligence quotient (IQ), attention span, and academic performance.

The primary contributor to the presence of lead in drinking water is anticipated to stem predominantly from lead service lines. These are the conduits that connect the residential dwelling to the primary water distribution system. Certain plumbing components or fixtures, such as solder, faucets, or valves, have the potential to contain lead, which can leach into the drinking water supply.


Even at low levels, lead has been "shown to affect IQ, the ability to pay attention, and academic achievement."Such maybe some of the indications of my stalker..

In reply to sgtdjones

Drink some EDTA and call the good doc in the mawnin

PS: posts are for entertainment only. Always consult your medical practitioner before changing any health routines

In reply to Halliwell

In Canada, many municipalities have a government program that allows us to change any lead pipes at minimum cost.
It's called

In reply to sgtdjones

But there is no lead in WASA’s water according tohttps://www.groundwatergovernance.org.
A bman can’t decide by himself in the face of provided evidence that there is lead.

In reply to sgtdjones

All I can say is thread carefully. Google picks up cc.com well. I am OUT OF HERE.

In reply to Halliwell

My rental properties and my home,I have changed all lead pipes.So its safe according to Government regulations,but I am sure you will note on occasions changes to such Government regulations.

Bump

Bump in the name of the law

In reply to Halliwell

Lead pipes, used in the early 1900s, have a life expectancy of 100 years. During the early 1900s, water pipes in the were often made of lead in England. Unfortunately, this led to thousands of lead poisoning cases, with many cities banning the use of lead water pipes in the 1920s.Lead is a toxic metal that can leach into water.
Traditionally, water pipes were made of galvanized steel/lead and then eventually replaced with copper pipes, due to the fact they were less susceptible to corrosion. Nowadays, however, you may find that the majority of water pipes are actually made from PVC, or plastic.
PVC can't handle extreme heat, it melts and could potentially cause negative health impacts. Because of this, using PVC pipes for your drinking water supply is not advised.

Reference
ASTM D2837
PVC pipe under constant water pressure, pipe testing 1970 at the Johns-Manville Corp.
Research and Development Center in Denver, CO..
Mao, F., Gaunt, J., and Ong, S., “Permeation of Organic Contaminants Through PVC Pipes,” J. Am.
Water Works Assoc., Vol. 101:5, 2009
Jeppson, R., “Cyclic Pressure Tests of Class 150 C-900 PVC Pipe,” International Conference on
Underground Plastic Pipe, March 30 April 1, 1981, New Orleans, ASCE

Some engineers take pipe everyday

please get off my thread...

start your own...thanks

"Engineer taking pipe" is a metaphor. I shall tell an allegory about rumrunner, jadee and the lead pipe. For general audiences of course.

I am asking again , get off my thread...

In reply to sgtdjones
No......................Lead pipe in yuh ....engine, you hear