Cabinet has approved the advancement of a major rehabilitation project for the Potworks Dam Spillway after engineering investigations identified structural deterioration, seepage and internal erosion.
The Antigua Public Utilities Authority reported that the spillway is affected by settlement of concrete slabs, damaged joints, unstable retaining walls and water seepage.
The assessment also found deterioration in the stilling well, including differential settlement, clogged weeps and separation between sections of the structure.
Some lateral walls at the inlet have settled, while sections of steel reinforcement have become exposed.
Despite the damage, engineers determined that the underlying soil remains capable of supporting the structure.
APUA has therefore recommended rehabilitating the spillway instead of completely reconstructing it. The Authority said rehabilitation would provide a safe and feasible solution at a significantly lower cost and could be completed more quickly.
The proposed works will include a high-performance compacted clay liner, reinforced concrete slabs and fluid soil-cement injection to address seepage, erosion and other structural deficiencies.
Cabinet said the project is necessary to safeguard the integrity of the Potworks Dam infrastructure and improve its long-term resilience.
I think this entire area should be fenced off. I see people standing in the water some even peeing and shitting in there. We need to protect our water sources