T&T LAUNCHES WATER AND WASTEWATER MASTER PLAN

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000495

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EEB/CBA AND WHA/CAR
USDOC/ITA/MAC/LATIN AMERICA CARIBBEAN
SANTO DOMINGO FOR COMMERCIAL SERVICE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BTIO BEXP EIND SENV ECON TD
SUBJECT: T&T LAUNCHES WATER AND WASTEWATER MASTER PLAN



1. SUMMARY: Trinidad and Tobago is embarking on an eight-year,
US$4.4 billion upgrade of its water and wastewater treatment
infrastructure. While the initial consulting contract went to
Canadian firm GENIVAR, the overall program offers significant
commercial opportunities for U.S. firms. END SUMMARY.


2. On May 4 the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GOTT) officially
celebrated their agreement with Canadian engineering and consulting
firm GENIVAR to develop Trinidad and Tobago's Water and Wastewater
Master Plan, providing for the "comprehensive rehabilitation,
reconstruction and extension of the country's water and wastewater
infrastructure." During the course of GENIVAR's US$6.93 million,
18-month contract with GOTT, they will work with the Water and
Sewage Authority (WASA) to provide a framework anticipating T&T's
development to 2035. GOTT is projecting a total budget of TT$27
billion (US$4.4 billion) through 2015 to implement this Master
Plan.


3. Current drought conditions only accentuate shortcomings in T&T's
water and wastewater system, which the GOTT's Vision 2020 Sub
Committee for Public Utilities identified in their benchmark review
for developed country status while developing the National Strategic
Plan. According to this study, only 30 percent of T&T's population
is connected to the central sewerage system, compared with 95
percent in developed countries. T&T experiences five pipe breaks
per kilometer per year while developed countries experience less
than one. "Unaccounted for Water" (an indicator of water service
quality) is around 50 percent while 12 to 18 percent is the
developed country norm. Meanwhile, T&T experiences an average of
only 10.6 hours of water service per day.


4. These shortcomings spurred GOTT to find a "permanent" solution to
the water and wastewater sector problems by developing a Water and
Wastewater Master Plan with the assistance of GENIVAR. At the same
time, the GOTT is enacting several contingency plans to address
current water problems, including the National Social Development
Programme from 2002, and the TT$1.2 billion (US$ 193 million) Water
Sector Modernization Programme. The first program is aimed at
providing basic water and electrical services to vulnerable
communities (i.e. communities with less than 48 hours of water
weekly). Since 2002, the GOTT has spent over US$80 million to build
or refurbish pipelines, booster stations and wells serving 150,000
Trinbagonians. The second program is intended to address immediate
needs and serve as the foundation for the Master Plan.


5. COMMENT: As T&T aspires to become a regional hub and join the
ranks of developed nations, the GOTT is taking advantage of T&T's
economic boom to invest in new infrastructure and other construction
projects. Foreign firms, especially Chinese and French firms, have
won many past contracts as demand for expertise and labor outstrips
local capacity, but U.S. companies are also in a position to take
advantage of these opportunities. Post will continue to send tender
and bid invitations to interested U.S. commercial contacts and
stands ready to assist any U.S. businesses. END COMMENT.

AUSTIN