VZCZCXRO9472
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHSP #0495 1381037
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181037Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8211
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 2579

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