APUA Says Aging Water Infrastructure Behind Surge in Leaks

The Antigua Public Utilities Authority says sections of Antigua and Barbuda’s water distribution network are more than 80 years old, contributing to the growing number of leaks, service interruptions and emergency repairs being experienced across the island.

In a public statement issued Thursday, APUA Water acknowledged concerns raised on social media regarding reported water leaks and response times, while stressing that the utility is already aware of longstanding infrastructure challenges affecting the national system.

According to the authority, some of the country’s underground iron pipelines have deteriorated significantly over time due to age and oxidation, resulting in increased faults throughout the network.

APUA revealed that it currently receives more than 800 reported water faults every month as crews work daily to address leaks, service disruptions, upgrades and infrastructure repairs across multiple communities.

The utility company said the increase in faults is also linked to the greater volume of water now being distributed across the island combined with the strain being placed on an aging pipeline system.

Officials noted that while the statement was not intended to excuse inefficiencies, it was meant to provide context surrounding the realities crews face while trying to maintain and modernize the country’s water infrastructure.

The authority also admitted there is a need to strengthen response capacity and said efforts are already underway to increase the number of crews available to respond to emergency water faults more quickly and efficiently.

APUA further explained that major investments are continuing to replace old iron pipelines with more durable materials such as High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) piping and other modern infrastructure solutions aimed at improving reliability and reducing leaks.

The utility described the modernization programme as a major national infrastructure undertaking requiring significant investment, planning and time, but said the work remains ongoing as Antigua and Barbuda seeks to build a more resilient water distribution system for the future.

The authority also thanked the public for its patience and continued vigilance in reporting leaks and water-related issues, while encouraging residents to continue conserving water amid ongoing challenges.