Panic set in across Central and South Trinidad today, as reports circulated that oily substance water was flowing through part of the nation's water supply, prompting several parents to remove their children from school.
TTUTA has advised teachers to dismiss schools if they think that the water in their system in unfit for drinking. TTUTA President Devanand Sinanan said that some schools were already being dismissed.
WASA, in a statement issued at 8.41 am, said that operators at the Caroni Water Treatment Plant, observed an oily substance in the Caroni River at 7.15 pm on Tuesday.
This prompted an immediate shutdown of the plant, which supplies most of the country. Efforts were made to flush the system of the contaminant, the release said.
WASA said the facility was re-started at 12.45 am today, after the river was cleared of the oily substance. WASA assured that the supply met World Health Organisation standars, but advised customers not to use water if it smelt like kerosene.
WASA also advised customers to empty their water tanks and clean the vessels before refiling with a clean supply. The Environment Management Authority is investigating the source of the contamination.
In a separate statement, issued by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) at 11.20 am today, the agency said it was monitoring the situation along with WASA, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), the National Operations Centre (NOC), the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Local Government and the first responder agencies (T&T Fire Service, T&T Defence Force, T&T Police Service and the Disaster Management Units.)
Citizens are urged to be mindful of the following safety tips:
- Do not utilise the water if you are experiencing a kerosene-like smell. Allow the supply to run until it clears.
- Consume bottled water for drinking and cooking
- If you have stored supplies which may have become contaminated, you may need to empty and clean the walls of your tanks with household cleaning agents before refilling.
- If you have been affected, call the ODPM’s Customer Care Centre at 511 to make a report.
Among the areas possibly affected:
- North Trinidad served by the Valsayn Booster Station A & B:
- Saddle Road, San Juan Bagatelle
- Laventille Road, Febeau Village Success Village, Laventille
- Malick Trou Macque
- North Trinidad served by the El Socorro Booster Station:
- Barataria St. Ann’s
- Morvant Cascade
- East Dry River Dibe, Long Circular
- Port-of-Spain St. James
- St. Barb’s Cocorite
- Gonzales Belmont
- Central and South Trinidad:
- Piarco Caroni North and South Bank Road
- Cunupia Endeavour
- Chaguanas Jerningham Road
- Lange Park Longdenville
- Felicity California
- Caroni Savannah Road Korea Village
- Bank Village Waterloo
- Carapichaima St.Mary’s
- Mc Bean Couva
- Windsor Park Esperanza
- Claxton Bay parts of Philippine
- Southwest peninsula from San Fernando to Point Fortin
- Debe Penal
- Siparia Fyzabad