GWI undertakes $30M in emergency repairs to pipelines

Sep 30, 2008 News

Karan Singh

The problems at the Vlissengen Road pipelines seem never-ending, as the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is still working on rehabilitating those broken lines.
It would seem that as soon as GWI repairs one section of the pipeline, another section is broken.
As such, the water company must often receive the approval from the Government for emergency works to be undertaken on the lines.
It has been close to one month now since GWI has been experiencing difficulties with the Vlissengen Road pipelines, as it was explained by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GWI, Karan Singh, that these lines are more than 60 years old and, as such, these constant repairs are expected.
He had noted that if a part of the line is repaired, then the pressure of the water will automatically increase; but at the same time, due to the pressure, it would damage the older lines, and that is why most of the time there are constant breakages in the lines.
According to Singh, the pipe is so thin that the pressure of the water would break it. Only a few months ago, the transmission line had to undergo emergency repairs at a cost of some $8 million, and this was also due to a ruptured line.
Meanwhile, the $30 million in repair works on the line will commence as soon as the water company receives the materials needed for the repairs, which will extend from the Botanical Gardens to Castellani House.
As a result of these repairs, residents in surrounding areas were being severely affected. They were not receiving the full pressure of the water.
Singh said that GWI has diverted water to the residents by way of a different set of mains.
The water company also transported water to residents in the affected areas, to provide some relief. The CEO told this newspaper that, so far, GWI has received no complaints from the residents since the improved water supply.
Initially, GWI was scheduled to undertake some $12 million in emergency repairs to the same pipelines, but according to Singh, the situation has reached a stage now where all the pipelines need to be replaced with PVC lines so that there would not any more be ruptures in the lines.  
Kaieteur News was told that, as part of the capital investment programme, GWI has a pipe replacement programme in place for Georgetown. So far, the water company has replaced some lines in South Ruimveldt, Prashad Nagar and West Ruimveldt among other areas.
To do a total pipe replacement in the upper part of Georgetown, it was explained, it would cost the company some US$25 million.
However, in the meantime, GWI is replacing those lines that they think are beyond repair, and those that are visibly damaged and need to be replaced.