By Sue-Ann Wayow
CREWS from the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) worked overnight to have the two leaks on the 42-inch transmission main that supplies water to northeastern communities repaired.
However, they are faced with challenges of the continued adverse weather and rising river levels.
Speaking at a virtual press conference hosted by WASA on Thursday, WASA’s Acting Director of Operations Shaira Ali provided an update regarding the North Oropouche WTP located in Valencia.
The plant services more than 1,000 residents along the east-west corridor from Sangre Grande to Five Rivers, Arouca, many of which were badly affected by Wednesday’s flooding.
The two leaks are in the vicinity of Daniel Trace and Pine Settlement.
Ali said, “Crews were immediately mobilised to both sites, however, due to challenges with the weather system, the high levels of the rainfall and the river condition, we were able to mobilise works last night. Crews were working overnight. Continuous operation with the weather conditions as they were and we are at this time, still on-site conducting works at the first location which is in Daniel Trace.”
She said there were several challenges at that location mainly because of the cross-country terrain.
“It is in the forested part of that area so that the equipment and the crew had to be engaged to do the clearing of the area in order to prep for the work and then of course to commence the excavation,”Ali said.
She added that the crews were almost near the completion of that repair.
The site at Pine Settlement nearer to Valencia was also under strenuous conditions because of the river crossing and crews will be engaged to work in that condition also with the high river level. WASA’s managers, labourers and equipment were all on-site.
“All efforts are being made at this time to go into that second repair and have that completed over the next several hours,” Ali said.
Repairs will be dependent on the condition being experienced at the site she noted.
WASA crews are attempting to complete before midnight on Thursday and supply should be restored over the next following 24 hours.
