As Trinidad faces an unprecedented dry season, the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has implemented emergency measures to manage a severe water shortage that threatens the nation.
The country anticipates a harsh five-month period of aridity, prompting WASA to initiate a robust water conservation campaign early in the 2024 dry season.
The authority has encouraged residents to reduce water use, preparing the nation to endure until the wet season returns.
Strategic measures to enhance water distribution
To combat the shrinking water supplies, which have decreased by 35 million gallons daily, WASA has established a command center. This center operates around the clock, monitoring water production and supply challenges.
It ensures that adjustments can be made swiftly to address any emerging issues.
Additionally, the authority has increased the capacity for water trucking and has reallocated resources, redirecting water from regions less affected by the drought to those that are severely impacted.
Prioritizing essential services
In these challenging times, WASA has declared that essential services will receive priority in water distribution.
Health institutions, homes for the elderly, schools, and religious institutions are at the forefront of this policy, ensuring that the most vulnerable and critical sectors maintain access to adequate water supplies.
Boosting water supply through desalination
The Ministry of Public Utilities has highlighted the role of desalination in mitigating the water crisis.
The Desalination Company of Trinidad and Tobago (DESALCOTT), established in 1999, has been a pivotal player in providing desalinated seawater to WASA.
In response to the current drought, DESALCOTT is set to increase its contributions significantly, focusing on enhancing water availability in the south west and south central supply zones.
Furthermore, a contract with Seven Seas Desalination will boost production by an additional 300,000 gallons daily, reinforcing the country’s capacity to manage its water resources more effectively.
Addressing climate change’s impact
The reduction in water availability is attributed not only to lower rainfall but also to significant evaporation rates exacerbated by intense heat, a direct consequence of climate change.
These environmental challenges have led to a production deficit of approximately 25 per cent from surface sources in Trinidad and an even more substantial 45 per cent in Tobago.
 has implemented emergency measures){kind=link}