The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) has this morning completed the repairs to the leakage to the DN300 Benau to Volanau distribution pipeline, crossing the Labasa River, Nabeka in Siberia, Labasa.
WAF General Manager Customer Services and Acting General Manager Operations, Mr. Sekove Uluinayau said that crew members have been working around the clock to complete the repairs and get water supply restored to the affected areas in Labasa.
“The team were able to expose and confirm the nature of the leakage in the first tide yesterday (30/07) after constructing the shoring and cofferdam. After then, we had planned to conduct the repair works during the second tide at 10:34 pm (30/07). At 7 pm, all required materials were set up and mobilized at the repair site.”
“The repair team were then briefed on the importance of this work with all safety being observed. Around 10 pm the fittings such as clamps were installed perfectly by two of WAF’s certified divers. At exactly midnight this morning (31/07), the repair works were complete and normalizing of operation were conducted until 2 am this morning,” explained Mr. Uluinayau.
“This repairs to this distribution pipeline was no easy task, a lot of work and planning was put towards this. We had to align our repair work with the times of the tides to put in the sandbags and gabion cages to build a cofferdam to isolate the leakage section to carry out repairs,” said Mr. Uluinayau.
Mr. Uluinayau says that the Authority extremely regrets the inconvenience caused and wishes to thank the customers and residents for their understanding during the temporary disruption period.
“I would like to acknowledge the residents for their patience and understanding, as this was something beyond our control and unforeseen by the Authority,” said Mr. Uluinayau.
Meanwhile, for further inquiries, customers can call 3346777 and 5777 (Vodafone, Digicel & Inkk users) or email contact@waf.com.fj