The first underground sewerage system was constructed in Port of Spain. It was designed to collect wastewater from public baths and washhouses for discharge into the sea in the area of the present port of Port of Spain. These sewers would later become part of the network serving the greater Port of Spain area leading to the Beetham Treatment Plant.
A Low Level Sewer along Wrightson Road and a Pumping Station at Mucurapo were constructed. These developments marked an early step in moving away from the reliance of the outhouse in the city.
With the establishment of a Port of Spain Sewerage Board and the need to maintain a healthy environment and to ensure proper waste disposal, Dr. J. R. Dickson was appointed as the first Sanitary Inspector.
One of the Earliest Private WWTPsThe Sangre Grande Hospital Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was set up.
Lock Joint (America Ltd.) completed a million-dollar island wide Sewerage Extension Project in 1966.The project involved the installation of over 320 kilometers of street sewers and 5,000 manholes in San Fernando, Arima and Port-of-Spain.
This period immediately preceding the nation’s ‘oil boom’ saw water production increase from 45 m.g.d to 65 m.g.d. This increase was a result of several ‘water winning’ projects that came on stream including:
A major Sewerage Report on Tobago by Attas and Defour Consulting Engineers recommended the establishment of sewerage facilities in three regions of Tobago.
The construction of a number of Junior Secondary and Senior Comprehensive Schools beginning in the mid-70's with their own wastewater facilities, would add to the growing list of WWTPs throughout the country.
During this decade, water production more than doubled, increasing from 65 m.g.d. to 140 m.g.d. This was a result of a $451 million investment in major water development projects by the Government. Among the major accomplishments of this period were:
The Scarborough Wastewater Treatment Plant was completed. This project was one of the most significant investments in the island’s wastewater sector and was designed to treat wastewater from a population of 10,000. This plant is owned and operated by WASA.
In 1995 the local economy began showing signs of emerging from an almost decade long slump while the non-oil sector started to drive economic growth. In 1996, WASA raised $1.5 billion on the local market to fund developmental works. Major projects embarked upon included:
The Greater Port-of-Spain Sewerage System Study (GPOSSSS) was undertaken to determine sewerage needs to the year 2030.The study sought to determine the most cost effective location for a regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and to make recommendations for the treatment process to be used at that site.
1999 saw public outcry over the numerous non-functioning privately owned WWTP's scattered across the country. An adoption model was developed to lay the foundation for a massive adoption drive.
By 1999, with the commissioning of the La Fillette Water Supply Project and the Ravine Sable Water Treatment Plant, these investments started reaping benefits.
In 2000, the upgrade at the Caroni Water Treatment Plant was commissioned with a total daily production of 75 m.g.d. The year also saw production commence from six wells as part of the Tobago Water Project. These wells added 2 m.g.d. to Tobago’s distribution system and were the highest producing wells ever drilled on the island.
Recognizing the need to greatly expand sewage facilities to meet stringent environmental standards, work commenced on a new multi million-dollar Beetham Wastewater Treatment Plant.
April 2002 saw the commencement of projects financed under the Government’s National Social Development
Programme (NSDP) and Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).
WASA’s objectives under the NSDP were to provide pipe borne water supply to areas of Trinidad and Tobago with
pipeline infrastructure but no water supply and also, to improve level of service in underserved communities.
Projects funded under PSIP aimed at improving the reliability of supply to existing customers. These projects included
the construction of booster stations to improve the supply to elevated areas; pipeline installation
to replace old encrusted pipelines, faulty valves and other appurtenances; placement of commercial tanks;
and a leak repair programme.
In 2002, the $120 million Desalination Plant at Point Lisas was put into service, delivering 22 million gallons of water a day.
Today, the Authority produces approximately 220 m.g.d. an increase of over 400% in its 41-year history, it is estimated however
that WASA loses between 40% and 50% of its treated water through leakage.
Against this backdrop, the Authority has developed and received approval for a Three-Year Investment Plan, which will serve as a framework
for the development of the water and wastewater sector in Trinidad and Tobago.
A key deliverable of the plan is the development of a Water and Waster Master Plan (the last Master Plan was prepared by Metcalf and Eddy in 1975).
This new Master Plan would provide a framework for the development of the country’s water and wastewater sector.
The Water Sector Modernization Programme (WSMP) is administering the three-year $1.2 billion plan, which will be implemented in conjunction with a
comprehensive NSDP programme.
The new Beetham WWTP began to treat domestic waste. It is the first WASA facility to utilize ultra violet radiation to disinfect
plant effluent. The plant serves customers within Greater Port-of Spain and environs from Pt. Cumana in the west to Mt. Hope in the
east including Diego Martin and Maraval and effluent from this plant meets environmental.
On September 1st 2004, WASA assumed responsibility for 38 WWTP's previously owned and operated by the National Housing Authority (N.H.A.)
now Housing Development Corporation (H.D.C.) the Land Settlement Agency, Sugar Welfare and UdeCott. Coming out of a study undertaken by SAFEGE
of France six (6) regional WWTP's are planned for the East-West corridor. These plants will ultimately lead to the elimination of numerous small
WWTP's that are currently in operation. Upon the completion of these and other projects in the wastewater sector the Authority hopes to provide
wastewater coverage to 75% of the population by 2015.