ACC reports record number of leakages and frozen pipes

The severe frost of the last few weeks put the municipal authorities on alert. Owing to the low temperatures, there was recorded the highest number of leakages and frozen branch pipes. SA Apa-Canal Chisinau director Constantin Becciev Monday said the specialists intervene swiftly to fix the problems, Info-Prim Neo reports. “It is a rather complicated period for us and we hope the Chisinau residents will realize the gravity of the situation and will not blame us. Since 1997 until present, over 500 km of water pipes managed by the local councils of Chisinau municipality were passed under the administration of the water supplier. Most of these pipes are in a deplorable state and were laid at a depth of only 20-50 cm. The largest part of the water pipes are made of polyethylene and cannot be unfrozen, only replaced,” explained Constantin Becciev. According to him, the water and sewer pipes are 70-80% worn out. Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca said that investment programs allowing replacing many of the pipelines within 5-10 years are needed to overcome the crisis. “We will try to allocate additional sums from the municipal budget to repair the pipes,” he stated. Last week, there were reported 320 leakages. Over 1 100 branch pipes got frozen. Six intervention teams are now working to remedy the situation. The number of these teams may be doubled.