Cabinet received a report from the Antigua Public Utilities Authority as it advances a major water infrastructure modernization and expansion programme.
General Manager Mr. John Bradshaw told Cabinet that the Authority continues to advance a comprehensive national water infrastructure modernization and expansion programme aimed at ensuring a safe, reliable, and sustainable water supply for residents, businesses, and the tourism sector.
He said that ensuring a resilient and efficient water distribution system remains a primary mandate of APUA. The Authority has identified that the existing distribution network in St. John’s City is aging and largely comprised of cast iron pipelines that have deteriorated over time, resulting in reduced carrying capacity and challenges in maintaining consistent service delivery. To address these concerns while minimizing disruption to urban activities, APUA is implementing the replacement programme in strategic phases.
St. John’s City Pipeline Replacement – Phase 1
Phase 1 of the replacement project targets the high-density corridor between Independence Avenue and Market Street, extending east to west to the sea, and bounded north to south by New Gate Street and Nevis Street. All internal streets and lanes within this area are included in the upgrade schedule.
The new distribution system will be gravity-fed from the Grays Hill Tank, with additional redundancies integrated to ensure system reliability. The project includes the replacement of outdated cast iron pipes with High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines, selected for their superior durability, enhanced hydraulic efficiency, and long-term reliability. The installation incorporates 14-inch, 12-inch, and 6-inch diameter pipes supported by internationally certified hardware, including AVK gate valves and stainless-steel backup rings.
The works are divided into nine sections to reduce traffic and commercial disruptions. Construction involves extensive civil works, including excavation estimated at approximately 60 percent rock and 40 percent soil, manual ditch grading, pipe bedding, haunching, backfilling, and full asphalt restoration of affected roadways.