Desalcott Maintenance Delay Strains WASA Supply, Discolours Water in Several Communities

Residents in Belmont, Woodbrook, St James and San Juan say tap water is now running clear after a week of brown water complaints in parts of Trinidad, including Diego Martin, Port-of-Spain, Santa Cruz and Point Fortin. The issue sparked a public dispute between Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath and Opposition MP Marvin Gonzales, while WASA said it was taking action and linked the discoloration to sediment in pipes.

Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath rejected Opposition MP Marvin Gonzales’ claim that WASA could not pay suppliers for water-treatment chemicals, saying there was no interruption in chemical supply and that the discoloured water was caused by system flushing and sediment. Gonzales has urged compensation for affected customers and questioned WASA’s planning and finances, keeping pressure on the utility over water quality and public confidence.

Opposition Whip Marvin Gonzales is calling on Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath and WASA to compensate customers whose appliances and clothing have been damaged by a week of discoloured water across Trinidad and Tobago. He questioned why no warning was issued and suggested the problem may be linked to WASA’s finances, chemical supplies and staffing changes.

WASA says it is taking immediate action to address reports of discoloured water affecting customers in some areas, with technical, engineering and water quality teams monitoring the problem and working to fix it. The authority said the water remains safe for domestic use and that daily testing continues at major facilities to meet World Health Organization standards.

Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath rejected Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales’s call to resign over discoloured tap water in parts of Trinidad, instead challenging him to “name the time and place” for them to drink a glass together. The dispute comes as communities in Diego Martin, Port of Spain and Central and South Trinidad face brown water, raising concerns about water quality and supply reliability.

Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales challenged Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath to drink the brown water coming from household taps, questioning government claims that it is safe. Padarath accepted, saying discoloured water has happened before and was caused by changes in the system after the Desalcott plant resumed operations. Gonzales is also demanding water-quality test results and says the government should be more transparent.

Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath defended WASA’s response to discoloured water in parts of Trinidad, saying the problem has happened under previous administrations too. He pushed back at criticism from the former minister responsible for WASA, arguing the utility is working to reduce the impact on affected communities.

Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales has challenged Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath to drink the same brown tap water affecting households, after Padarath told Parliament it remained safe for domestic use. Padarath said sediment disturbance caused the discoloration and WASA was flushing affected areas, but Gonzales is demanding test results, accountability and Padarath’s resignation over the water crisis.

Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath said WASA has started flushing affected lines after reports of discoloured water in parts of Trinidad, including Diego Martin, Port of Spain, Central and South, and said the water remains safe for domestic use. He linked the problem to a scheduled Desalcott maintenance shutdown and restoration of pressure, though Opposition MP Marvin Gonzales said other communities were also affected and asked when it will be fixed.

St James residents have been dealing with brown, and in some cases black, tap water since the weekend, forcing many to buy bottled water and worry about contamination in tanks, filters and pools. They are urging WASA to explain the cause and restore clean supply. Separately, WASA said the Seven Seas desalination plant is offline for emergency repairs, affecting several Central and South West communities.

Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath said WASA is flushing affected lines and says discoloured water in parts of north, central and south Trinidad is temporary and safe for domestic use. He blamed the problem on a scheduled Desalcott maintenance shutdown, sediment in the network, and recent rain stirring debris, while noting ongoing complaints from several communities.

Residents in Santa Cruz, Mt Hope and St James reported discoloured water and supply problems after WASA adjusted its system during maintenance at Desalcott’s Point Lisas plant. Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath said mechanical issues delayed the plant’s full restart until Thursday, adding pressure to an already strained water system with low dam levels and reduced production.

WASA says flushing is under way in affected areas after temporary water discolouration following Desalcott’s scheduled maintenance shutdown, which ended Sunday noon. The utility says the water remains safe for domestic use and advises customers to run taps for a few minutes to clear internal plumbing.

Residents in Santa Cruz, Mt Hope and St James have reported discoloured water and missed supply days as WASA flushes lines after a scheduled Desalcott shutdown. Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath said mechanical problems delayed the Point Lisas plant’s restart until Thursday, adding pressure to an already strained system with low dam levels and reduced production.

Desalcott is expected to resume operations by Thursday after unexpected mechanical delays during its annual maintenance shutdown, Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath said, offering some relief as water shortages continue. He said all major reservoirs are below 70% capacity, with El Niño and low dam levels straining supply, and noted that WASA has added more trucks while government looks to boost output from desalination and wells.