Mauke Water Project
Progress of Construction Work
Total pipes (mains & sub-mains) installed from beginning of September to mid-November is approximately 7.1km. Also included control valves, automatic air-release valves, flush-outs and hydrants. Areas where pipes are laid is illustrated on the map.
• Conversion of an existing concrete tank into an operation site shed is almost complete, supervised by RVK Contractors
• Work on pump station bases have started with the first concrete pour expected next week
• Service lines to ‘active’ house holds are also being laid at same time
• Pressure testing and disinfection of pipes already laid to commence once one or two solar pump stations are brought online
• Low voltage electrical feeder line also laid into tank site, termination work in progress before testing and livening
Upcoming Dec/Jan Works
• Pipe laying to continue until all pipes are laid
• Work on concrete bases of main tankstands expected to start early December. Work will be under the supervision of MOIP engineer, assisted by RVK Contractor supervisor and local labour force
• Tankstand structures to go up in January 2010 and tanks in February/March
• House connections will commence once short-supplied materials are received
• Community tanks rehabilitation work also to commence within the next week or two. This work will include de-roofing/re-roofing of existing tanks, water blasting/cleaning, plastering, resealing using additives and re-sealer paints.
Problems and Issues
• Main project ‘workhorse’ (ditchwitch) continuously breaking down and all resources are being drawn to get the machine back into working status on the earliest. Parts are being flown from Australia and New Zealand. A 6-tonne Excavator is also being used to assist with digging but problems of its own are starting to appear. The successful completion of this project lies with these machines. No new machines were purchased for this project. The ditchwitch was supposedly to be fully serviced and thoroughly tested prior to sending to Mauke. The bobcat was fully serviced and tested here and is still running without problem.
• Due to the state of the MIA machineries, funds from the project are being used to maintain these machines whether or not these are involved in project activities
• Getting urgently required materials to Mauke is sometimes a problem due to limitations on cargo space available. Sometimes materials or engine parts will take a week to get across to Mauke. One hydraulic hose remained at Air Rarotonga cargo for a week before they were able to fly it across, despite pledge from PM to get it across urgently.
• Polyethylene/flange adaptors for one pipe size were wrongly supplied by supplier. Correct replacements are being sought from New Zealand.
• Some concerns on sand mining have been raised and this was discussed in a public meeting. Sands are supposedly to be mined from various locations at the same time, rather than exhausting one beach before moving to the next.
• Biased and incorrect reporting that doesn’t reflect facts and those involved
Other Issues
• Project sought assistance of Manukau Water through the existing MOU between Cook Islands Government and Manukau City, to provide a pipe specialist to supervise pipe construction. Project covers all local expenses and travel while Manukau water covers salaries and entitlements. Manukau Water was prepared to provide two guys on monthly rotation to assist in the supervision work. Official request from Cook Islands Government to Manukau City major came from DPM’s office. Also BTIB was involved as they manage the MOU. Royston Jones arrived in early October and decided that he will stay back until project completion. He will be joined by his family during Christmas and New Year holidays.
• Have some concern with information published through media which are false, one-sided and failure to recognize all project stakeholders.
• Project has recruited 23 unemployed people (mainly guys with 2 girls) from Mauke community and most of them are involved in the pipe laying and building construction works. This will nullify the need to undertake overtime works. Duration of employment will be for 3 months but depending on outstanding work and also funding, may be able to extend their employment to project completion.
• Community acceptance of work despite the amount of disturbance to their living conditions (dust, noise, etc) particularly when using the road during pipe construction
• Community and various groups hosts project workers for feeds during lunch times.
Herald Issue 463 10 June
- World famous activist assisting residents
- Budget will decide if residents prosecute Government over landfill
- Forestry project sucking Mangaia dry
- Budget 2010 – fiasco or disaster?
