Probe on damage
Acompany contracted by a telecommunication company is under the spotlight for allegedly damaging pipes along Princes Rd in Tamavua, Suva on Thursday.
The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) is considering taking legal action against the company.
WAF chief operating officer Seru Soderberg said they were looking at various options against the contractor after the damage affected water supply in the greater Suva area.
WAF chief operating officer Seru Soderberg said they were looking at various options against the contractor after the damage affected water supply in the greater Suva
area.
Mr Soderberg said this included the cost of repairs for plant, labour, water carting costs, and other expenses incurred as the result of the contractor’s alleged negligence.
Progress
Works along the damaged pipe line from Tamavua to Suva is expected to be completed this weekend.
The burst main pipe occurred
after the contractor was conducting horizontal directional drilling and allegedly ended up damaging the pipe.
Water supply to greater Suva area, including Walu Bay, Mead Rd, Samabula, Lami, Waimanu, Rd and Rewa St was disrupted. Mr Soderberg reveals that the delay is due to the close proximity of their main pipe to power and telecommunications cables, which limits their excavation works. “It’s a major, high-voltage line, and if we do damage it, the likelihood of somebody losing his life on site. So, that’s causing the slowing down of our excavation works because we have to manoeuvre ourselves in between these services,” he said.
Mr Soderberg said 40 water trucks had been carting water to affected areas and schools. WAF plans to get 10 more trucks.