Diego Martin Mayor Akeliah Glasgow-Warner has joined growing public concern over discoloured tap water in parts of Trinidad, directly questioning whether senior officials at the Water and Sewerage Authority would personally drink, bathe in or wash clothes with the water being reported by residents.
Glasgow-Warner raised the issue in a video posted to Facebook after receiving complaints and images from members of the public.
She said residents initially raised concerns about water being supplied in East Trinidad, but responses to her enquiries suggested complaints were not confined to the East, with people in Maraval also reporting problems.
According to Glasgow-Warner, some residents described water coming from their taps as brown or black, while others complained about sediment or what they described as “slush.” Some also claimed the water carried an unusual smell, with descriptions comparing the scent to fish.
“So all you know me, I just go straight to the source, and the source is the people,” Glasgow-Warner said as she displayed screenshots of responses and images of discoloured water.
Her criticism intensified when she addressed WASA’s public response to the issue.
WASA said on October 6 that flushing was underway in affected communities following temporary water discolouration associated with scheduled maintenance at the Desalination Company of Trinidad and Tobago, Desalcott.
According to the Authority, adjustments had to be made to the water transmission system while Desalcott was shut down. When the system returned to normal operations and water pressure was restored, sediment in the lines was disturbed, causing temporary discolouration.
WASA has maintained that the water remains safe for domestic use and advised affected customers to run their taps for a few minutes to flush their internal plumbing systems.
It was that assurance which Glasgow-Warner publicly challenged.
“Would the CEO of WASA bathe in that water, drink that water, wash clothes with that water?” she asked.
Glasgow-Warner also directed her questions to Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath, asking whether he would personally use water appearing in the condition shown by residents.
“You think somebody would want to wash a wig in that water?” she asked.
Padarath is the current Minister of Public Utilities, and WASA falls under the ministry’s portfolio.
Glasgow-Warner described the situation as unacceptable and took particular issue with residents being assured that discoloured water could still be used.
“Telling people to drink that water is disgusting and it shows the lack of respect and consideration you all have for the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” she said. “Do better.”
Her intervention carries added weight because Glasgow-Warner is the serving Mayor of Diego Martin. The Diego Martin Borough Corporation identifies her as Her Worship the Mayor and Alderman. She became the first Mayor of the newly established Borough of Diego Martin in 2023.
Reports of discolouration had already surfaced along the East-West Corridor before WASA’s October 6 statement.
On October 5, St Augustine MP Khadijah Ameen said residents in St Augustine South, Oropune Gardens, Piarco, Bamboo No. 2, Curepe and surrounding communities had reported discoloured water. She attributed the situation in those areas to turbidity in the Caroni River and said flushing of the main was taking place. Reports had also extended as far north as Barataria.
WASA’s subsequent statement linked the wider temporary discolouration following the Desalcott maintenance shutdown to changes in the transmission system and the disturbance of sediment as water pressure returned.
The Authority’s explanation, however, has not stopped residents from questioning whether water that appears brown, black or contains visible sediment should be used before it runs clear.
Glasgow-Warner’s video has now placed that question directly before WASA and the Ministry of Public Utilities, with the Mayor effectively asking officials whether they would be comfortable following the same advice being given to affected households.
For residents experiencing discoloured water, WASA has advised allowing taps to run for several minutes to flush internal plumbing. Customers requiring assistance can also contact the Authority.
Article and image source: facebook.com