00:00Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padaroff says prolonged neglect and inaction have resulted in more than $250 million worth of treated water being wasted at the Point Lisa's industrial estate.
00:13It is deeply concerning that many of these issues were reported to WASA as far back as 2020 and left unattended by the former WASA administration under the PNM government.
00:26Padaroff said the Point Lisa's industrial development company raised concerns about the leaks up to six years ago, submitting several reports warning of the scale of the problem.
00:37While this government assumed office, we found a transmission system hemorrhaging an estimated 6 million imperial gallons of portable water per day, with losses valued at approximately $250 million for the period.
00:55The minister described non-revenue water as a major challenge facing the ministry, noting that initial assessments identified nine priority areas across the estate.
01:06Initial assessments identified nine priority areas.
01:11Proper technical investigations, deliberately avoided under the former administration, uncovered 21 active transmission failures, concealed beneath congested utility corridors and in open lots.
01:25On the industrial estate.
01:27Padaroff said the situation was allowed to worsen at a time when national demand for water was increasing and many citizens were already facing hardships due to intermittent supply.
01:38Six years, millions of gallons of treated water were allowed to gush into the ground every single day.
01:45Water that taxpayers paid to treat, pump and distribute, while citizens endured shortages and communities were placed on rotational supply.
01:54The minister says since taking office, remedial works have started with 20 of the 21 identified leaks now repaired within a six to eight week time frame.
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