I refer to Labour spokesman Stefan Buontempo’s criticism of the Water Services Corporation that has appeared lately in various sectors of the media

Dr Buontempo claimed that the WSC does not have a logistical plan on the maintenance of the distribution network and the efficient repair of pipes. He also claimed that the corporation does not have enough workers to cope with repairs and that they lack “adequate tools”.

These claims are not correct. The WSC has a detailed Leakage Management Plan which has given positive results and is constantly monitored by the Malta Resources Authority to ensure transparency in our workings. Moreover, one must note that the methodologies we use have been well received at international level.

The corporation is constantly reviewing its quality and work practices. We have improved our procurement specifications for pipes and other materials to ensure better quality and over the past three years we have improved our work methods when laying new services. For example, the corporation applies a two-pronged approach to lay mains: In wider roads we lay dual mains to avoid crossing and facilitate possible future repairs. On the other hand if roads are less than seven metres wide, we use sleeved services to better protect the plastic pipes.

We are pleased to note that the failure rate of services that have been replaced and re-surfaced over the past three years is less than one in a thousand. Unfortunately during summer the infrastructure is more highly stressed and there may be instances where we repair a service rather than replace it to ensure adequate response times.

It was also incorrect to state that the WSC has too few workers and that these are ill-equipped. Although the workforce has been gradually reduced over the years, we have ensured that we have a competent and properly trained and equipped workforce. We also employ small private contractors to meet the excess work demand that we may have. We do this in a responsible manner to ensure no unnecessary costs are passed to our consumers.

Dr Buontempo also claimed that some leaks were taking months to be repaired. This happens on rare occasions when either the WSC is prevented from carrying out repair works by other third parties or during the summer peaks. Notwithstanding this, in the great majority of cases, the corporation still repairs faults within 24 hours.

Stephen Zerafa

Head Public Relations

Water Services Corporation