THA Chief Secretary Looks To Desalination Amid Tobago Water Concerns
THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has voiced concern over dwindling groundwater and surface water supplies.
With reduced rainfall continuing to affect water availability across the island, Mr Augustine said he is looking forward to discussions with WASA on developing alternative water sources.
« Last check, Hillsborough was about 50% capacity. Courland, far less than that, so again, we have to conserve. »
The Atlantic has yet to see a hurricane in 2026, marking the first time in 112 years that no hurricane has formed this far into the season.
While it means that for 2026, the Caribbean may not have to deal with the devastating effects of a hurricane, the lack of storms, coupled with drought-like El Niño conditions, has resulted in below-normal rainfall, drastically reducing water resources – a situation that is a major concern for the Chief Secretary.
According to Mr Augustine, Tobagonians will continue to experience decreased service unless more rainfall occurs.
« I am praying for rain, and I believe God that there will be rain and that we won’t have famine in the land, but off my own strength, there is nothing I can do off my own strength to just make rain magically fall that will refill our aquifers and our groundwater supply. So we have to look at alternative sources, and we’re doing that right now. »
The establishment of desalination plants is one of the alternative solutions being discussed with the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA). One such facility is being planned in Charlotteville, with other areas being explored.
« We’re having the conversation about desalination. More than that, we are exploring desalination. We have a planned plant to come on stream with the IDB, the Inter-American Development Bank. »
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Office expects El Niño and drought-like conditions to continue until February 2027.
