Minister in the Ministry of Public Utilities Clyde Elder said continued pipeline ruptures and aged equipment are the causes of the widespread interruption of supply to parts of Tobago in September and October.
Minister Elder made his comments during a sitting of the Senate on Friday in response to a question from Senator Melanie Roberts-Radgman regarding water disruptions in Tobago.
“The ageing condition of mechanical and operational components have naturally increased their susceptibility, Mr. Speaker, to failure. While ongoing maintenance helps extend operational life a number of these sites have been earmarked for comprehensive upgrades and replacement for which funding is currently being sought under capital improvement initiatives.”
He added that the corrosive nature of the soil in Tobago negatively affects the metallic couplings and fittings on the pipes along the 16-inch transmission main.
This, he said, has also contributed to the disruptions in the Water and Sewerage Authority’s service in Tobago.
“To mitigate future occurrences, the Authority is exploring enhanced protection measures for underground infrastructure, including corrosive-resistant materials, protective coatings and cathodic protection systems to improve long-term durability and reliability to the network.”