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‘Water Task Force transfer benefitted As Terlaje repair’
In a memorandum of agreement signed at the start of the month, the Water Task Force’s current projects that shifted to the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. have benefitted the As Terlaje 16-inch water main rupture repair.
In addition to the increased water pressure in combination with the gravity flow system coming from CUC’s Kannat Tabla tank and the downward motion of the As Terlaje slope, CUC chief engineer John Riegel states that due to the sediment composition and previous engineering of the water main over 15 years ago, ruptures such as the one seen in As Terlaje are common for the island.
He described that the eventual cause of the rupture was from a sharp rock underneath the pipeline.
Board member Joe Torres noted, however, that this was not the first time the As Terlaje pipes have ruptured.
Riegel expressed that because of the sediment composition, a new design has been put in place by putting a cushion of sand around the pipe to protect it against the elements over time.
He said the method does not completely safeguard against future ruptures, with Torres adding that concrete reinforcements should be considered.
Riegel added that when the repairs for As Terlaje were made within the first 24 hours, there were no available 16-inch water pipes on island and the only way the repair was completed was from their takeover of the Water Task Force warehouse inventory that just so happened to have a 16-inch pipe available.
Riegel celebrated the accomplishment and noted that the replacement of the Papago reservoir or Superblue new tank is still ongoing and foundation work is underway.
The governor’s office, which transferred all former Water Task Force projects to CUC including the warehouse and equipment, includes the construction of the 1.0 million gallon Puerto Rico reservoir that is approximately 95 percent complete, the Gualo Rai reservoir replacement and the Lower Base water main replacement.
A Tinian tank replacement project is awaiting the transfer of expenditure authority that still lies with the Department of Public Works in order for CUC to take over.
