By SHEILA LASIBORI
RESIDENTS and business houses in Popondetta, Oro province, face a possible shortage of fresh water as sources of supply in the area have started to dry up.
Most residents had reportedly been collecting fresh water in containers and drums from creeks such as Hauga near the Anglican Resurrection Church and from Gavana creek near Huvivi village.
Efforts by the local water board to restore water supply was beefed up by the delivery last Saturday of two large water tanks from Port Moresby by Southern Cross Pumps and Irrigation Ltd (Port Moresby).
One of the tanks can carry 90 kilolitres of water while the bigger one can handle up to 140kl.
Installation of the town’s water pipes had been carried out and the water tanks had been installed.
As soon as the water system was completed, bore water would be pumped by a generator into the new tanks from which water will be drawn for distribution.
State of emergency controller Col Vagi Oala is confident the water supply to the town and the surrounding areas will be restored at least by today.
In a statement, he said the bore water pump that was delaying the water restoration project was flown into Popondetta yesterday and water board workers had already tested the pump.
Col Oala said PNG Power workers were on hand to restore electricity to run the pumps.
He said water supply especially to the general hospital should be restored.