WATER PNG Limited CEO James Young says additional leaks have been discovered in the aging Rouna raw water pipeline, which supplies part of Port Moresby.
Mr Young said repair work will begin in the coming weeks, with efforts being made to minimise water supply disruptions and keep the public informed.
The damaged pipeline, installed 64 years ago, has caused a six-metre-deep sinkhole filled with water, making access difficult. Divers will assess the damage before engineers carry out underwater welding repairs.
“We cannot drain the newly created swamp in time because it is about half a kilometre wide and contains a very large volume of water,” Mr Young said.
He added that repairs will require a temporary shutdown of the Rouna pipeline, although the duration will depend on the extent of the damage. A similar partial shutdown occurred on May 1 during earlier repair works.
Mr Young described the recurring leaks as an ongoing challenge caused by aging infrastructure.
He said a major replacement program is already underway with funding support from the National Government and international partners, including Australia, the Asian Development Bank, the European Union and the European Investment Bank.
Residents and businesses are being urged to prepare for possible outages by storing enough water for drinking, cooking and cleaning.
Water PNG says further updates will be provided after divers complete their assessment and repair timelines are confirmed.
WaterPNG crisis is looming.