Over 5,000 Manchester residents to benefit from new water pipeline upgrade

Approximately 5,200 residents in communities across Mandeville, Manchester are set to benefit from improved water reliability after $124-million pipeline system was brought into operation on Thursday. 

The project was implemented by the National Water Commission under the Greater Mandeville Water Supply Improvement Programme and replaces an aged 16-inch asbestos cement transmission main that had exceeded its useful service life and contributed to significant water losses.

About three kilometres of 400 mm ductile iron pipeline were installed along with valves and supporting infrastructure, improving service delivery to roughly 1,300 households across Hopeton, Waltham, Perth, Bromfield Street, Airey Mount, Manchester Road, May Day and Woodlawn Road.

Water, Environment and Climate Change Minister Matthew Samuda said the investment forms part of a wider national programme to modernise ageing systems and strengthen water security.

“Over the last four years, the Government has invested approximately $2.5 billion in upgrading the Greater Mandeville Water Supply System. This project is one important link in that chain of investments and will improve service to more than 5,000 residents,” Samuda said.

He added that increased national spending on water infrastructure has grown significantly in recent years as the Government seeks to expand access to potable water and reduce system losses.

Member of Parliament for Manchester North Western, Mikael Phillips, welcomed the project, saying residents had waited years for improvements to the system and praising the NWC and contractors for delivering the upgrade.

Custos of Manchester, Sally Porteous, who represented Rhoda Moy Crawford, the Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, described the pipeline as a long-awaited improvement that will support households, schools and businesses across the parish.

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