The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) says it is facing mounting pressure on the country’s water network, revealing that crews now respond to more than 800 reported water faults each month amid ongoing infrastructure challenges.

In a statement issued Wednesday, APUA acknowledged public frustration following recent criticism on social media over the handling of a reported water leak and the agency’s response time.

The utility said the sharp increase in water faults is linked to higher volumes of water being distributed across the network combined with the strain of maintaining an aging infrastructure system.

According to APUA, teams are simultaneously dealing with leaks, emergency repairs, service interruptions, upgrades and other infrastructure projects in multiple communities on a daily basis.

The authority said the statement was not intended to excuse inefficiencies but to provide context on the operational realities faced by its crews.

APUA also admitted that improvements are needed and said it is working internally to strengthen its emergency response capacity by increasing the number of crews available to respond to water faults more quickly and effectively.

The utility thanked the public for its patience and support while encouraging continued efforts to conserve water resources.