Wasa makes desalinated water available to public

Trinidad & Tobago's water and sewerage authority Wasa has made some 40Ml/d of desalinated water available for public use, local press reported. Wasa receives some 88Ml/d of water from a private firm, known as the Desalination Company of Trinidad & Tobago (Desalcott). Of that amount, some 48Ml/d goes to companies in the Point Lisas industrial estate. The water is of drinkable quality. The new source is good news for Trinidad & Tobago's population, which perennially suffers from drinking water shortages in the dry season. During the wet season, Wasa produces up 800Ml/d from traditional ground and well sources, but this amount slips by more than 20% in the dry season. Desalcott is a joint venture between the US' Ionic Ltd and local firm Hafeez Karamath Engineering Services. Wasa buys the water at 4.50 Trinidadian dollars/cu. m (US$0.73), and sells it for 7.50.