Keithson Charles, the MP for Choiseul/Saltibus, has warned residents that tampering with water infrastructure is a crime that harms the community, not the government. He spoke after WASCO reported that someone had deliberately interfered with a valve supplying the Delcer Treatment Plant in Choiseul.
“When you tamper with our utility infrastructure, you are not hurting the government – you are hurting your own neighbours, your own farmers, and your own community,” Charles said on his Facebook page.
Charles, who is also the Minister for Public Utilities, explained that WASCO found and fixed the problem “where a valve was deliberately tampered with, restricting the flow of water into the Delcer Treatment Plant”.
“This kind of unauthorized interference is a criminal offense, and an investigation is actively underway,” the post read.
It also warned about the difficult climate conditions.
“The South is currently experiencing a massive 45% rainfall deficit. WASCO has restored the plant to its current capacity, but the rivers are running low,” Charles wrote.
He urged people to take rainwater collection seriously and mentioned that the government has removed VAT on water tanks.
“Let us conserve our potable water for essential use, utilize harvested rainwater where possible, and act as our brother’s keeper by protecting our infrastructure.”
WASCO earlier announced it had started an investigation into suspected unauthorised interference with a valve in the Unionville area of Delcer.
The company also reminded the public that willfully tampering with or damaging utility infrastructure is an offence under section 90 of the Water and Sewerage Act.
