WASA Restricts Hosepipes for Gardens and Cars in Tobago

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WASA says Tobago’s water resources are under pressure and that a serious shortage is threatened, according to a 103.1FM report published on Thursday 29 October. The authority is asking people on the island to conserve water ahead of the Carnival weekend.

Sources: 103.1FM, 29 Oct, 4:13 p.m. AST ↗

The report says restrictions take immediate effect and continue until further notice. They concern WASA-supplied water used through hosepipes and similar equipment for watering private gardens or washing private motor cars. Sprinklers and pressure washers used for those purposes are included.

Sources: 103.1FM, 29 Oct, 4:13 p.m. AST ↗

WASA’s reported advice is to use controlled quantities for appropriate cleaning, repair leaks and preserve the water needed for safe food preparation, handwashing and sanitation. The reviewed report gives no end date. An original authority notice was not available in the website material reviewed; this account attributes the announcement to 103.1FM’s report of WASA’s statement.

Sources: 103.1FM, 29 Oct, 4:13 p.m. AST ↗

Later on 29 October, TTT published a fuller statement attributed to WASA. It links pressure on Tobago’s resources to drier conditions associated with El Niño and says Carnival demand makes conservation particularly important. Organisers, vendors and accommodation providers are asked to plan water requirements, monitor consumption and prevent wastage; the restriction remains specific to the stated uses of WASA-supplied water.

Sources: WASA statement published by TTT, 29 Oct, 6:44 p.m. AST ↗

The statement advises controlled cleaning with buckets or mops, prompt repairs to leaks and avoiding wasteful water play, while preserving water for food preparation, handwashing and sanitation. It gives no date for lifting the measures and does not announce a complete interruption of Tobago’s water supply.

Sources: WASA statement published by TTT, 29 Oct, 6:44 p.m. AST ↗

On Friday 30 October, Guardian Media reported that patrons at Stink and Dutty were sprayed with hoses during the morning event. The report says Tobago’s public utilities secretary, Ricky Joefield, condemned water wastage and that an unnamed WASA official said the authority was aware of the spraying. It does not independently establish the water’s source, volume or any finding that the event breached the specific garden-and-car restriction.

Sources: Guardian Media / CNC3, 30 Oct, 1:00 p.m. Trinidad time ↗

The newsroom says it could not reach the promoters before publication. Its unnamed official said no exemption had been granted, but the notice’s stated scope and the broader appeal to avoid waste must be distinguished. No enforcement decision, sanction or lifting of the conservation measures was established in the material reviewed.

Sources: Guardian Media / CNC3, 30 Oct, 1:00 p.m. Trinidad time ↗