17 Jan 2003

Leaks and illegal connections delay Samoa water system expansion

12:10 pm on 17 January 2003

Samoa's Water Authority is investigating suspected illegal connections to its new water pipe at Vaitele Fou.

SWA general manager, Latu Kupa, says the authority was ready to release water into the system when pressure tests by engineers revealed that the pressure had dropped dramatically.

Part of the problem proved to be the result of leakage from badly connected pipes but further investigation showed that some families had made illegal connections to the network.

Tampering with the pipes seems to have occured when water rationing was introduced during dry weather towards the end of last year.

Residents who have been waiting nearly four years for piped water will now have to wait longer for the service.