THE Guyana Water Inc (GWI) on Sunday in central Georgetown moved to repair leaks in the water system, leaks that were reportedly caused through damage inflicted by heavy-duty container trucks.

The repair works took place at the two intersections of Church Street and the Avenue of the Republic and farther down at the intersection of Church and Main Streets, near Guyana Stores.

Assistant Regional Manager for Georgetown, Eson Pearson, told this newspaper that the damage to the century-old pipelines have contributed to large potholes in the road- ways.
“Normally what happens, is that the vehicles coming out from John Fernandes Ltd— there are a lot of heavy vehicles passing here— after a time the vibration wakes up the joints between the mains and they leak; and so we have to pack lead in it to stop it from leaking,” he said, motioning to several workers on site.

Regarding the potholes which have caused citizens to complain, he added: “The leaking will cause potholes, because once vehicles are passing and the water is coming up, after a time it is going to weaken and holes are going to form.”

Pearson said that the GWI is conducting works on the four locations simultaneously, with the hope of completing the job by 18:00hrs on Sunday.

While work was in progress, traffic was diverted from the Avenue of the Republic in line with The New Building Society Ltd, while traffic was able to pass on the other side of the Avenue of the Republic, opposite the Bank of Guyana.

Pearson said that such repairs will have to occur from time to time until it is possible for the entire aged distribution system in Georgetown to be revamped.

“Right now we can’t prevent it, all we can do is repair it,” he said. “There is need for new infrastructure. Some of these lines are over 100 years old; some 75 years old, but from time to time we’re changing lines.”

He also noted that a contractor was on site awaiting completion of the pipe works to re-pave the road for normal vehicular passage.