Trinidad Distillers Limited, the Coconut Growers' Association, the Vehicle Management Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Port-of-Spain Branch) and the Co-operative Citrus Growers' Association of Trinidad and Tobago are in the process of being notified to apply for a water pollution permit by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA).

The notices are in keeping with Rule 8(1) of the Water Pollution Rules 2001 which states: "Where any person releases a water pollutant into a receiving environment outside the permissible level, that is likely to cause harm to human health or to the environment, the Authority may at any time notify that person to apply for a permit."

The four companies are located in the Laventille area. They are now required under the Water Pollution Rules to submit applications for water pollution management permits within 30 days of receipt of the notices.

Under the Rules, any person who either intends to or is already discharging a water pollutant into the environment must submit a Source Application to the EMA. Once it is established that the applicant releases a water pollutant, the EMA issues a Registration Certificate.

Source Applications were received from Trinidad Distillers Ltd on May 4, 2007; Coconut Growers' Association on May 8, 2007; Vehicle Management Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Port-of-Spain Branch) on September 3, 2007 and the Co-operative Citrus Growers' Association of Trinidad and Tobago on September 25, 2007.

All companies have been issued a registration certificate. This means that based on their current operations and practices, the EMA has determined that they are sources of water pollutants specific to Trinidad and Tobago under the Water Pollution Rules.

Permits are issued for periods of no more than five years and as set out under Rule 15 (1): the water pollutants authorized to be released; the quantity, conditions and concentrations the holder of a permit may release; the exact location where the sampling of the release can be performed, monitoring and reporting requirements as well as a time schedule for coming into compliance with the discharge standards.

"The Water Pollution Rules have been instituted to protect the population of Trinidad and Tobago from the potentially harmful effects of water pollution," said Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the EMA, Dr Joth Singh. "We take our mandate under the Rules very seriously and intend to apply them wherever and whenever applicable."

"The impact of the activities of these companies is of particular concern not only to those with an interest in the preservation of the natural environment but to the people of surrounding communities whose welfare must be of paramount importance," Dr Singh said.

© EMA – April 3rd  2009