The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) says it is outraged by what it describes as another deliberate act of vandalism, this time at the Tabaquite Booster Station, where critical electrical wiring was stolen on Wednesday morning.
In a media release, WASA said the incident forced the shutdown of the facility, disrupting water supply to thousands of customers in Tabaquite and surrounding communities.
The Authority noted that the attack occurred just hours after a similar act of vandalism at the Biche Booster Station. WASA says repair crews are working to restore operations by 7:30pm and is appealing to the public to report any suspicious activity as investigations continue in collaboration with police.
* See full statement below:
The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is outraged by yet another deliberate act of criminal vandalism against critical national infrastructure, following the theft of essential electrical wiring at the Tabaquite Booster Station earlier this morning.
The incident, discovered at approximately 5:00 a.m., forced the immediate shutdown of the facility and disrupted water service to thousands of residents throughout Tabaquite and surrounding communities. Customers are currently experiencing low water pressure or complete interruptions as a direct result of this criminal act.
This is the second attack on WASA’s infrastructure in less than 24 hours, coming on the heels of the vandalism at the Biche Booster Station. The frequency and audacity of these attacks point to a reckless disregard for the welfare of citizens and an assault on services that communities depend upon every day.
Let there be no misunderstanding, these are not victimless crimes. Every stolen cable, every damaged facility and every act of sabotage directly impacts families, schools, healthcare facilities, businesses, and vulnerable members of our society. The consequences extend far beyond property damage, they threaten public health, disrupt livelihoods, and impose significant financial burdens on the national community.
WASA’s technical teams, working alongside the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC), have mobilised immediately to restore operations. Repairs are currently underway, and the Tabaquite Booster Station is expected to be returned to service by 7:30 p.m. today.
While WASA remains unwavering in its commitment to restoring service, these repeated attacks divert critical resources away from system improvements and place unnecessary strain on infrastructure maintenance efforts. Every dollar spent repairing vandalised facilities is a dollar that could otherwise be invested in improving service delivery for customers.
The Authority is therefore calling on all citizens to stand with us in protecting national infrastructure. Communities are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons, vehicles, or activities observed near booster stations, treatment plants, reservoirs, or other utility facilities.
Report suspicious activity immediately via the WASA Vandalism Hotline: 496-6738. All reports will be treated confidentially and may be made anonymously.
WASA is working closely with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible. Individuals convicted under Section 25 of the Summary Offences Act (Chap. 11:02) and Section 45 of the Malicious Damage Act (Chap. 11:06) face severe penalties, including substantial fines and imprisonment.
To those responsible, WASA sends a clear message, attacks on the nation’s water infrastructure are attacks on the people of Trinidad and Tobago. We will pursue every available avenue to ensure accountability.
WASA remains resolute. We will repair. We will restore. We will continue serving the people of this country. But defeating this growing threat requires a united national response. We ask every citizen to be our eyes and ears in protecting infrastructure that belongs to all of us.