The Caribbean Island of Trinidad has a tourist industry, but its oil and gas resources are mainstays of the economy. While Trinidad has no shortage of fossil fuel, fresh water has historically been a problem.

In the late 2000s, when the island was in the grip of a severe drought and drinking-water shortage, the Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (WASA) reached out to Seven Seas Water Group to fast-track delivery of fresh water to Point Fortin and nearby areas on the island of Trinidad.

The Point Fortin project faced several challenges. Many residents of the area were receiving water service only one or two days a week, so the project to bring them reliable, 24/7 fresh water was critically time-sensitive.

There were other problems to overcome. The delicate marine ecosystem had to be left unharmed. A change in government required a contract change to the build-own-operate (BOO) model, and construction on the small, 1.2-acre site at an oil refinery had to be halted when an oil well was unexpectedly discovered there, which took eight months to cap. And, because existing piping could not be used, new lines crossing active roadways had to be installed.

Reliable Fresh Water With No Upfront Investment

Seven Seas Water Group delivered the largest desalination project in Trinidad in a decade. Even with significant obstacles, residents in and around Point Fortin went from water service only one or two days per week to 24/7 service only 14 months after permits were secured. The project took advantage of a flexible BOO contract that required no initial investment.

Seven Seas Water Group also initiated an environmental management program to monitor effluent quality, which included surveys to monitor the effect of reverse osmosis brine outfall on the surrounding marine ecosystem. Our team subsequently adjusted the plant to protect the marine ecosystem, using two independent firms to monitor and assure effluent quality. Learn more about our commitment to sustainability.

According to a Harvard study,

“[…] the project performs above the industry norm both in producing freshwater that is of exceptionally good quality and in monitoring its effluent into the sea. This project creates a clear net positive impact on the community, achieving water supply for 29,000 people.”

Water Production Handled by Water Professionals

Seven Seas Water Group’s Water-as-a-Service® (WaaS®) public-private partnership (P3) contracts allow our clients to focus on their core missions and leave water headaches to specialists. WaaS® delivers a specified volume of water at a specified quality or we don’t get paid, so interests are aligned. We build quality infrastructure to last and handle all operations and maintenance.

Seven Seas Water Group is the originator of P3 water infrastructure projects. Contact us to find out how your service area can get the updated infrastructure it needs with no upfront investment.