WASA says reports of a planned shutdown at the DESALCOTT Desalination Plant this weekend are “completely false”.

Instead, it says the company will increase production to meet the anticipated additional demand during the Divali weekend.

Instead of the contracted 40 million gallons per day, the plant will supply WASA with 42 million gallons per day.

In a statement, the Authority says this follows a directive from Public Utilities Minister, Marvin Gonzales.

It also announced that on Wednesday November 8th 2023, it commissioned the new Freeport Wells #19 and 20, along with California Well #3, which was converted from a non-producing to a producing water source.

WASA says this has boosted water production at the Freeport Water Treatment Plant by one million gallons per day, from 2.5 to 3.5 MGD.

It adds that this has resulted in a significant improvement in supply to approximately 21,000 persons in Freeport and environs, who can now expect to receive a water supply ranging from 24/7 to 24/4, instead of one in nine days as previously reported by some.