Public Utilities Minister: WASA given one year moratorium on $35m fine

Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath has announced that the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has been granted a one-year moratorium by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), temporarily avoiding a potential $35 million annual fine for non-compliance at the Beetham Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The moratorium offers WASA a critical window to bring the ageing facility up to environmental standards and avoid costly penalties that had loomed over the Authority due to persistent effluent discharge violations.

Padarath made the comment on Saturday during an interview with Guardian Media.

He was responding to questions arising out of the looming fines relating to the plant’s effluent issues.

“We have been able to stave off the 35 million dollar fine. we received a moratorium for one year to come within compliance. This was a matter that was left to languish for about 5 – 7 years by the former administration, and in light of that, we are taking immediate steps to have the matter addressed.”

During a recent tour led by Acting CEO Jeevan Joseph, Acting Director of Wastewater Services Krishna Persadsingh disclosed that the plant, commissioned in 2004, has significantly deteriorated, with an estimated $175 million in refurbishments needed to meet environmental standards.

Neglected maintenance between 2015 and 2025 has led to multiple process failures, increasing the risk of harmful effluent discharges.

The Beetham facility, one of the country’s largest, serves approximately 182,500 residents, including communities in Port of Spain, Diego Martin, St. Ann’s, and Maraval.

In response to the crisis, WASA has created a new wastewater directorate to address environmental and public health concerns and to reduce exposure to future penalties.

Over the years, residents lodged complaints about sewage overflow to former Laventille West MP, Fitzgerald Hinds, and former Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales.

Gonzales had previously indicated that repair works were conducted on ruptured sewer lines.

Minister Padarath said urgent steps were being taken to safeguard residents from the impact of effluent discharge.

“I do recognize the challenge it poses to the residents of Beetham and therefore I have asked the acting CEO and board of WASA to move expeditiously to ensure we mitigate any effects it may have on those in the area.”

When contacted on Saturday by Guardian Media, Gonzales pointed to what he described as a “massive Beetham wastewater scandal” under a former UNC administration, alleging that $1 billion earmarked for the project was lost in corruption.

“When the administration of WASA can put out such a release for political purposes or to score cheap political points, then you know what we are dealing with, a bunch of jokers,” Gonzales said.

He further challenged Padarath to explain how the current government intends to finance maintenance and rehabilitation work without a reform strategy or increased tariffs.

“He must now tell the country where they are going to find the money to increase WASA’s subsidy so that it can undertake all maintenance of plants around the country.”

Calling the current executive “handpicked” and “incompetent,” Gonzales urged the administration to stop “harassing the psyche of the nation” with politically charged releases and focus on solving the problems at hand.