Money woes lead to change of scope in laying of new pipes, says APUA Water Manager; ACB loan funds reportedly delayed

The laying of new high density polyethylene pipes by the Water Business Unit of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has run into the challenge of accessing proper financing.

Ian Lewis, the water manager at APUA, says the Antigua Commercial Bank (ACB) loan that the Authority  acquired to assist with offsetting expenses has been delayed.

Lewis says these funds would have been used to replace the network of old rusted iron pipes around the island, and that work was expected to be completed by 2021.

While the old pipes have been replaced in some areas, including along Sir George Walter Highway and Friars Hill Road, quite a large area still has to be tackled.

However, the laying of these pipes is very costly, so Lewis says that locations that have a higher frequency of breakage will be tackled.