A Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) worker was among customers disconnected by the authority yesterday for failing to pay the water bill.

The WASA employee, who lives in Valsayn, owed almost $4,000, accumulated over three years.

The disconnections began in San Fernando, with WASA's general manager, corporate communications Ellen Lewis and deputy manager Steve Joseph leading a team to Chrisholm Street, San Fernando, where a homeowner was disconnected for owing $70,000 over a 13-year period.

The disconnection campaign is part of a plan to recover $506 million owed to WASA by domestic and commercial customers. Domestic customers owe $356 million of that amount.

A customer at Endeavour, Chaguanas, was disconnected for failing to pay a bill that accumulated to $16,000 over ten years, and at Madras Street, St James, a business owner had his supply turned off for owing more than $33,000.

In Tobago, the Bethel Credit Union avoided disconnection after paying up its $11,498 bill.

Lewis said some businesses had "rushed and settled" their payments before they were disconnected.

Lewis said people disconnected will have to pay a reconnection fee of $500 and all outstanding money owed to the company before being reconnected.

The WASA campaign continues today.