The municipal water utility Apa-Canal Chisinau warns that the number of leaks occurring in the network is increasing and the company doesn’t have enough money for repairs in order to significantly improve the situation. According to an ACC press release, European funding is crucial for replacing the worn pipes, IPN reports.
The wear of the network is estimated at 70%. Steel pipes break the most often, as they are not hydro-insulated and aren’t protected against so-called electric corrosion. These pipes need to be replaced first. Main pipes need investments as well, after being in use for over 40 years.
According to the company, without major repairs of the municipal water supply system, the number of leaks will increase considerably. Everyday there are about 70 leaks that require complex and long interventions in all the sectors of the city. Over the last 7 months, ACC recorded 12,000 leaks.
The total length of the aqueducts managed by ACC is over 1910 km, with an average age of 24 years. Over 800 km are 25 year old steel pipes, despite the recommended serviceable life span being 15 years.
ACC says that the only solution to improve the municipal sewage and water supply system and to get the desired results within an optimal time frame is to start the renovation of the pipe network and auxiliary infrastructure within the Priority Investments Program, financed by the EIB and the EBRD. Currently, the investment process is advancing slowly because the investors’ condition to adjust the water tariffs isn’t met yet, but the issue has almost been solved.
