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ASPA working around the clock to find & repair water leaks

Between January and June 2015 the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) reported 132 leaks and a total estimated water loss of 1,868 gallons per minute (gpm), as confirmed by ASPA CEO Utu Abe Malae.

 

Responding to Samoa News queries regarding the leaks, Utu said that fixing our aging water infrastructure is essential to developing a sustainable water system that provides reliable water supply for the community now and well into the future. He told Samoa News the ASPA water system consists of over 150 miles of water main pipes (4” diameter and larger).

 

“More than 24 miles of these water mains are Asbestos Cement (AC) pipes. These pipes were installed in the early 1960’s and 70’s. The majority of the leaks in the system have been detected at the joints of these old AC pipes where the gasket has deteriorated allowing water to leak through. ASPA is working around the clock with two Leak Detection teams to find and repair leaks on the aging water mains.”

 

Utu further stated that ASPA will soon hire a third team consisting of professional leak detection/repair contractors from the US Mainland to help speed up this critical effort. ASPA is also hiring a hydraulic modeler, who will update the model of the entire water distribution system.

 

The funding has been secured for the replacement process, Utu noted. “ASPA secured funding from USEPA and DOI to begin the replacement of these aging water mains starting this year. It will take approximately 10-15 years to replace all 24 miles of AC pipes depending on funding availability,” he said. The ASPA CEO said that pumping water through leaks is a waste of energy and water — that is why replacing the 24 miles of AC pipes is so important.

 

It will cost about $12 – $14 million to replace the mains, and if it weren’t for the help of EPA and DOI, the water rates would have to be increased to finance the three current AC pipe replacement projects: in Leone, Vaitogi and Leone. Utu asks the public to keep an eye out and report to ASPA any leaks or pools of water on the side of the road that may be caused by a leaking underground pipe.

 

“People can contact ASPA’s Customer Service at 699-1234 to report a leak or ask for more information on this effort. We also ask the community to please be patient as we continue to repair and replace our aging water infrastructure.”

 

Utu also pointed out that “even though there are thousands of gallons saved — each time a leak is repaired ANOTHER one pops up somewhere else.” He said the solution is to completely replace with higher quality pipes all 24 miles of AC mains.