While recent rainfall in T&T has positively impacted local reservoirs, they remain significantly low.
So said communications manager of the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) Daniel Plenty while responding to questions via e-mail.
He said water schedules would remain until otherwise advised by the authority.
Earlier this month, WASA told customers water levels at all of its reservoirs in Trinidad and particularly in Tobago were lower than the 20-year long-term average.
The authority also released new water schedules for the entire country.
Citizens in some parts of east Trinidad have complained of receiving water for only a few hours a day.
Plenty said the recently implemented/published adjusted water schedules would remain in place and advised customers to continue proper management of their water supply by employing water conservation measures at home and work.
“The recent rainfall is having a positive impact on our reservoirs. However, those levels still remain significantly below the long-term average for this time of year.
“As such, much more periods of consistent rainfall is needed to bring our reservoir levels up to capacity by the end of year, before we enter next year’s dry season,” Plenty added.
He said the authority had been seeking alternatives to supplement its surface water sources from rivers and reservoirs, which were more vulnerable to weather conditions.
This includes the development of new ground water sources (wells), along with surface water sources and the expansion of Desal.
In Trinidad the authority has issued tenders for the development of five new wells in Arouca, Granville and Chatham while a tender for four more wells will be issued soon.
Tobago has been experiencing the worst of the water shortage.
The Hillsborough reservoir, the major source of drinking water for the island, is at 18 per cent of capacity.
In August, several guest houses were forced to close their doors and turn away tourists due to the lack of water.
One major tourist attraction, the Pigeon Point Heritage Park had to turn away visitors because its water supply had been exhausted.
Plenty said the authority was addressing the Tobago problem.
He said it had developed three new wells in recent years at Louis D’or, Bacolet and Mt Irvine, which combine to produce approximately one million gallons a day (mgd).
Currently between six to eight new wells are being developed at various locations on the island with the total combined expected output of four mgd.
Plenty said supplies from two of these wells were already being used and have greatly supplemented the current shortfall in production due to the ongoing dry spell.
Shortages due to the lack of rainfall is not limited to T&T however, as Barbados, St Lucia and Grenada have also had to adjust water supplies to citizens.