WSC blames delay for water mains leak repairs on industrial action

Taxpayers` money was literally washed down the drain yesterday as water gushed for hours on end along Depiro Street in Sliema, despite reports to the Water Services Corporation.

When contacted, Sliema council executive secretary Joe Stafrace said that the WSC engineer in charge had been personally informed of the damage, but until 7 p.m. yesterday no action had been taken.

At the moment re-surfacing works are under way at Depiro Street and the contractor accidentally damaged the water pipes at about 9.30 a.m., Mr Stafrace said.

"Your guess is as good as mine as to when the corporation intends to fix the damaged pipes. In the meantime, the work has had to stop until this is done," Mr Stafrace said.

A spokesman for the corporation said when contacted that it was taking so long to get down to repairing the damage because of the ongoing industrial action at the corporation.

"However, I have been assured that action will be taken by tonight (last night)," the spokesman said.

WSC employees are under General Workers` Union directives not to use any means of communication and to boycott contractors doing work on behalf of the corporation.

The industrial action at the WSC has also delayed other works in Manuel Dimech Street, Sliema.

Mr Stafrace said the contractor required specific water fittings for the house connections to complete the work.

However, due to the industrial action these fittings could not be distributed to the contractor.

Mr Stafrace said the council was doing its utmost to eliminate any inconvenience to residents.

On other works in Sliema, Mr Stafrace said tarmac in St Vincent Street had been laid one week ahead of schedule.