WASA says it will sink 26 new wells this year.

This, it adds, is part of a water expansion programme to ensure that every household receives a consistent 24-hour pipe borne supply at least three days a week.

It says the programme is already underway, with wells completed successfully in Freeport, Las Lomas and Granville.

Meanwhile three more are currently in progress: two in the Mayaro supply zone and one in Granville.

20 of the 26 wells are being funded from the Ministry of Public Utilities Public Sector Investment Programme, with the remaining six are being funded as part of the Inter-American Development Bank’s water expansion programme.

WASA Chairman Ravi Nanga says a critical imperative is to address the immediate needs of customers that are currently unserved and underserved.

He maintains that some areas pose challenges for several reasons, including topography, poor planning, or sheer distance from a water source.

He insists they have prioritized these areas and are working “assiduously” to ensure residents all receive a consistent pipe borne supply at least three days a week.

WASA gave the following breakdown with respect to the 26 wells, and their expected benefit to different communities:

Wells funded by the Ministry of Public Utilities Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP)

1. Carapal A (0.17 IMGD)
2. Carapal B (0.17 IMGD)
3. Valencia #1 (0.8 IMGD)
4. Talparo #2 (0.45 IMGD)
5. Wallerfield #20 (0.53 IMGD)
6. Wallerfield #21 (0.46 IMGD)
7. Los Bajos 1B (0.17 IMGD)
8. Los Bajos 2B (0.17 IMGD)
9. Waddle 1 (0.17 IMGD)
10. Palo Seco A (0.17 IMGD)
11. Palo Seco B (0.17 IMGD)
12. Carapal C (0.17 IMGD)
13. Carapal D (0.17 IMGD)
14. Carapal E (0.17 IMGD)
15. Mayaro #18 (012 IMGD)
16. Mayaro #20 (0.12 IMGD)
17. Arouca #13 (0.30 IMGD)
18. Granville B (0.17 IMGD)
19. Granville C (0.15 IMGD)
20. Signal Hill/Orange Hill Tobago (0.3 IMGD)

Communities to benefit:

• Valencia #1 – Vega De Oropouche and environs where approximately 5675 persons will access an improved supply from 24/2 to 24/7
• Talparo#2 – Talparo and environs where approximately 5175 persons will benefit with an improved supply from 24/2 to 24/4
• Waller Field #20 and #21 – Cumuto and environs where approximately 5943 persons will access an improved supply from 24/2 to 24/4
• Carapal A, B, C, D, E, Palo Seco A &B, Los Bajos 1B &2B and Waddle communities along the S.S. Erin Road such as Erin, Carapal, Rancho Quemado, Waddle Village, Quarry Village, Los Bajos, Palo Seco and Beach Camp where approximately 12,465 persons will benefit from an improved supply to 24/5
• Mayaro #18 and #20 – Communities served by the Mayaro WTP such as Peter Hill, Solomon, Alexis and Panhandle Street, Mafeking, Cedar Grove Village, Manzanilla Road, Lewis and Sucre Street, Plaisance Village, Gill St., St. Ann’s Road and side streets
  benefiting from an improved supply from 24/1 to 24/2 as well as Mayaro Town centre improving to a 24/3
• Arouca #13 approximately 3375, persons in Upper Khandahar Village and Upper Five Rivers who will access an improved supply from 12/2 to 24/3
• Granville B&C approximately 3600 persons in the communities of Cedros and Icacos will benefit from an improved supply of 24/5

Wells being funded under the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) programme

1. Freeport #22 (0.42 IMGD)
2. Freeport #23 (0.42 IMGD)
3. Freeport #24 (0.42 IMGD)
4. Tucker Valley #34 (0.22 IMGD)
5. Clarke Road #9 (0.14 IMGD)
6. Chatham #15 (0.22 IMGD)

Among the communities to benefit:

• Freeport 22, 23 and 24 approximately 9450 persons to benefit from the additional water supplied to residents of Freeport, Gran Couva, Mayo, Tortuga, Pepper Village, Calcutta #1, Calcutta #2, Calcutta #3, Chickland Village, Siewdass Road, Preysal
• Tucker Valley #34 approximately 2475 persons to benefit from the additional water supplied to residents of Carenage, Scorpion Village, L’anse Mitan, Chaguaramas, the Park/Glencoe and Goodwood Park, West Vale Park, Sanora Park, Pt. Cumuna
• Clarke Road #9 approximately 1350 persons to benefit from the additional water supplied to the residents of Lachoos Road, Goodman Trace, Smart Avenue, Legal Trace, Mohan Maraj Trace, Hilltop Avenue, Sunset Avenue, Solomon Knox, Debedial, Clarke Road, Bhaarattie Trace and Oliverie Drive
• Chatham #15 approximately 2475 persons to benefit from the additional water supplied to residents of Chatham North Trace, Unity Road, Augustusville, Coromandel Road, Southern Main Road from Cap de Ville Junction to Point Coco Ext. Junction