The government of Antigua and Barbuda has approved immediate repairs to the Potworks Dam spillway after engineering investigations identified structural deterioration, significant seepage and internal erosion.

Management of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority informed Cabinet that the problems include settled concrete slabs, damaged joints, unstable retaining walls and erosion of the spillway’s foundation material.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said the deterioration does not currently pose a safety risk.

“No safety risk,” Merchant said during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing.

He explained that the prolonged drought and low water level at the dam exposed the defects, allowing APUA to identify and address them before significant rainfall returns.

“Due to the drought situation, these faults are exposed, and that’s why APUA is rushing towards making the repairs before the rains come and the dam becomes full again,” Merchant said.

He said the work would begin immediately and that APUA was assessing the equipment and materials required to complete the project.

The repairs are considered critical because Potworks Dam remains an important source of surface water for Antigua and Barbuda. Officials want the spillway restored before rainfall returns so the reservoir can safely capture and store water.

APUA also reported that national water production has fallen from approximately 11 million imperial gallons per day to nine million gallons because the drought has reduced the availability of surface water.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda Government Orders Immediate Repairs to Deteriorating Potworks Dam Spillway.