File photo of APUA Piping works/ Photo credit- APUA

The Antigua Public Utilities Authority is expected to complete its current repiping work in central St. John’s by the end of this week, allowing the Ministry of Works to continue road rehabilitation in the affected areas.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant provided the update during Thursday’s post-Cabinet news briefing.

Merchant said this should be APUA’s final week of pipe installation in St. John’s proper, including work along High Street, St. Mary’s Street and Newgate Street.

APUA is expected to hand the streets over to the Ministry of Works by the end of the weekend, provided the schedule is not disrupted.

Merchant cautioned that recent rainfall may have affected open work areas and could influence the completion timeline.

The repiping forms part of wider efforts to replace Antigua and Barbuda’s ageing water-distribution infrastructure while roads are being rehabilitated.

Merchant said APUA and the Ministry of Works have increased their coordination to reduce instances in which newly resurfaced roads must be excavated to repair leaking pipes.

However, he acknowledged that leaks sometimes develop after roads are resurfaced. He said vibrations from heavy rollers used during road construction can affect ageing pipes, while greater care may also be required when APUA installs replacement lines.

The work involves removing old pipes, clearing surrounding soil, compacting the area and installing new lines before the roads are restored.

Merchant appealed for patience from motorists and other road users as APUA and the Ministry of Works continue the water and road improvement programmes.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: APUA to Complete St. John’s Repiping Work This Week.