Wednesday, June 18 2008

THE WATER and Sewerage Authority (WASA) said yesterday the extended dry season this year may result in a limited water supply to various parts of the country.

WASA said yesterday that the major areas to be affected would be those communities on the outskirts of major city systems which rely on “rural intake systems.” The authority said these areas included Arima and environs and East Port-of-Spain.

According to WASA, there was little rain during the months of May and June and this resulted in water production being lowered by an estimated 20 million gallons per day.

As a result, the authority’s reservoir facilities at Caroni, Navet and Hollis were being heavily utilised to meet the water production deficiency. WASAofficials, however, said that the reservoirs could not be depended upon for any extended period of time as they were only impounding facilities and not water production facilities.

But the authority said dry conditions are not expected to continue in June. Climatologist Ezekiel Sampson, at the Meteorological Services in Piarco, said that in the month of May, cumulative rainfall was far below the average. He said he expects rainfall in the months of June, July and August to reach the average or even above.

Meanwhile, consumers have already began to complain as many are already only receiving water two days per week as over 80 percent of the country is already on a scheduled supply.