Addressing water woes

The National Main Stories

Water PNG Ltd is assuring residents that the low pressure currently experienced in parts of Port Moresby is being addressed.
Concerns were raised by customers in Vabukori, Taikone, Konebada, Kila Barracks and Kaugere that intermittent low pressure was experienced over the recent weeks.
Water PNG board chairman Aiwa Olmi said the company started remedial work in October with the procurement of materials and work was in progress.
“The main issue why these areas are experiencing intermittent water supply is due to an air lock in the distribution system that mainly feeds from our water tank up at Koki Hill,” he said.
“An air lock happens when the level at the water reservoir is below halfway and this introduces air into the pipeline, preventing water from being supplied to the areas affected.”
Olmi said the water reservoir at Koki needed realignment of its outward pipeline.
Currently, routine flush-outs are done at strategic locations in order to relieve the distribution system of air locks.
Olmi said to permanently address the issue, Water PNG was undertaking major work that were ongoing:

  • THE lowering of a section of the 300mm pipeline at the Koki reservoir; and,
  • INSTALLATION of a new 1.9km 250mm pipeline to run from Badili to Gabutu.

Meanwhile, an emergency shutdown is also being planned for tomorrow to carry out work at the Waigani traffic lights area.
“The shutdown for repair works was approved by the management to take place last year, however, it was delayed to situations beyond our control, and that is to repair the leaking air valve on the 600mm pipe along Koura Way as well as the repair of a leaking washout near the North Waigani traffic lights,” Olmi said.
He also said Water PNG had a community service obligation to villages and settlements where it provided water supply without applying tariff.
But as a business entity, water was also rationed to minimise revenue loss, uncontrolled water wastage and to improve water pressure within the distribution system to customers on high altitude areas.
He added that Water PNG had taken on the concerns by the public regarding its call centre and had addressed the issue.
Water PNG said it continued to work on improving its call centre with additional three lines on toll-free.