S.W.A. prioritizes water quality

By Joyetter Feagaimaali'i

Water quality is a priority for the Samoa Water Authority and in doing so they have increased water quality monitoring. This was revealed in their annual report for financial year for 2018. 

“The Authority places strong emphasis upon proper operation of existing chlorination facilities as well as extending disinfection services to rural areas. This has seen an increase of water quality monitoring by the Water Quality Unit (W.Q.U). 

“For the period reported the water quality performance targets were achieved as part of the Water and Sanitation Sector Plan (WSSP) 2016 -2020 outcomes. 

A monthly average of 100% was achieved for the Upolu main slow sand filtration plants.” 

In the 12 months for the said financial year, the targets were well above target of 90 percent. Additionally, at end of June 2018, 22 S.W.A. boreholes had operational chlorination facilities against a target of 40 boreholes. 

This is due to several reasons which includes the remote locations of boreholes which requires resources for continuous monitoring 

Regarding water loss management, the S.W.A. revealed the introduction and installation of pressure reducing valves isolation valves play a vital role in water pressure management and control, which reduces the risk of burst pipes and leakages resulting in non-revenue water (N.R.W.)  reduction. 

The pressure reducing valves (P.V.R.) works were carried out; and four pressure reducing valves were installed at the Lefaga-Tanumalala and Lufilufi distribution lines to manage pressure. 

“There was also works on the renewal of Tiavi P.R.V.s program. The replacement P.R.V.s will manage the pressure more efficiently and avoid frequent burst pipes as noticed along the Tiavi Road. New P.R.V.s were installed on the pipeline that feeds Manono-tai to manage pressure and avoiding too much on the submarine pipeline and P.R.V. installations on the Alaoa system for regulated pressure control. 

The finalisation of Alaoa District Metered Areas was completed with the installation and completion of Isolation valves and P.R.V. chambers. A total of 12 DMAs have been isolated with preliminary monitoring identifying DMA5 (Urban Central- that includes Lalovaea, Saleufi, Apia up to Matautu) and DMA6 (Urban West) as having the highest water losses within the Alaoa water scheme. As such, DMA 5 and 6 have been prioritised for N.R.W. works. 

The report says that ongoing pressure management and leak detection works continue throughout all of S.W.A. systems targeting the Alaoa system and the Non-Revenue Expert on other priority arrears for Urban, Rural and Savaii. 

Also included in the Annual Report are the S.W.A. Capital Projects which includes the installation of two water tanks and booster pump house for supply of new prison Facility. The prison top tank successfully completed tightness test with the rising main from bottom tank to top tank also pressure tested successfully. 

“As of the end of the Financial Year 2017-2018 the evaluation of tenders are completed for the Gataivai works awarded for borehole and transmission main lines in the hope to provide improved and reliable water supply for this community.” 

The S.W.A. also noted the installation of tanks for all borehole supplies to reduce operating hours for the water pumps thus saving costs on electricity. 

“This will also help reduce non-revenue water and salinity issue from over pumping and pumping straight into the system. The tank for Lepale is completed and Gataivai to start soon. The Sataua Borehole drilling completed in the beginning of May with casing and pump installed in mid-May while the pump test completed at the end of May,” says the report. 

By Joyetter Feagaimaali'i

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