00:00 Wasa's CEO Kelvin Romaine says, "Over the past months, there were unforeseen circumstances
00:07 as well as planned events which affected operations.
00:11 Specifically, he notes, there was the plant desal shutdown as well as the unforeseen instance
00:17 where issues arose at the Karani water treatment plant."
00:21 Romaine explains that while the situation has been resolved, there is a time-based system
00:28 where water takes time to reach from one location to the taps.
00:32 "That would have exacerbated the issues, particularly in the far areas, the extreme
00:39 points we would call it, and higher elevation areas.
00:42 Those are under the system."
00:44 However he tells us that Wasa is focused on network optimization and efficiency, adding
00:51 that work is currently underway in some areas to increase water supply.
00:55 "It started already with Freeport.
01:00 We have some exercises in terms of well drilling exercises currently being undertaken in the
01:05 Granville-Chatham area as well.
01:08 We are about to start, we started our repo wells, those are three wells that would service
01:13 the northeastern area of the country.
01:15 We are also about to initiate or commence some well drilling exercises in the Mayara
01:21 area where we are looking to drill three additional wells."
01:24 He notes that while the Regulated Industries Commission is the body to determine increases
01:30 in rates, he believes Wasa may need a review.
01:34 "What I could say, however, while a rate increase is required, there are certain guidelines
01:41 by the UN in terms of availability of water to all, but we definitely require some level
01:52 of increase to ensure that the organization remains financially viable."
02:01 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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