The Central Water Authority (CWA) will this year spend a staggering Rs2 billion to replace old pipes in a bid to slash water wastage.
CWA officials yesterday had a working session with the Ministry of Finance on this huge project, which will see about 2,000 kilometers of pipes replaced. According to information from reliable sources, it is a question of weeks now before the Ministry of Finance gives the go-ahead for the project bid.
Millions of rupees are lost every year due to water leaks from old and damged pipes. The major part of the project is the installation of larger pipes to supply the regions of Camp Fouquereau and Alma.
This phase alone will cost some Rs300 million and the new pipeline will extend over 10km and will benefit the new town of Highlands.
This project also will start this year and be completed by mid- 2012. Other work includes the Pierrefonds pipeline (Rs30 million), on the southwest coast (Rs89 million), Quarter-Militaire (Rs80 million) Camp Thorel and Salazie (Rs20 million).
An additional Rs25 million will be needed for Goodlands, Rs20 million for Plaines Des Papayes and Rs20 million for Calebasses. Besides that, the renovation of the water treatment plant at Pailles will cost some Rs80 million and expansion work at la Nicoliere another Rs115 million