LWSC Cracks Down on Illegal Structures Blocking Monrovia’s Sewer Lines

The Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) has launched a major operation to demolish structures built over vital water and sewage lines in central Monrovia. The initiative, which began several days ago in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works, is aimed at providing the LWSC with unhindered access to these critical lines to facilitate cleaning, maintenance, and rehabilitation. The goal is to improve the city’s sanitation and create a healthier, more environmentally sustainable Monrovia.

The operation is focused on highly congested areas, especially around Lynch Street, Center Street, and Gurley Street, where buildings have encroached upon the city’s sewage infrastructure. The affected structures are blocking access to sewage lines, preventing efficient waste disposal and contributing to unsanitary conditions in the city.

Leading a media tour of the demolition, Patrick Sandikie, the Deputy Managing Director for Technical Services at LWSC, highlighted the operation’s significance for public health and the environment. “What we are doing here is not just demolition for the sake of it; it’s to restore the sewage system of Monrovia,” Sandikie said. “We want to make Monrovia a cleaner, healthier city and environmentally safe.”

The demolition focuses on structures obstructing sewage lines that are vital for the city’s sanitation. “Four nights ago, we started working with the Ministry of Public Works to demolish structures that are standing on our sewage and water lines,” Sandikie explained. “We’ve had many members of the public, including those whose buildings were affected, claim they were not on the lines. But we want to categorically state that they are on the lines. If they are not on the lines, there would be no demolition.”

Lynch Street, near the OK FM studio, was cited as a key example of how structures were obstructing the system. “Here, you can see the structure that was demolished to provide access to the manhole. That manhole, as you can see, is completely sealed off by a building, and the sewage cannot flow. When we demolish the structure, we get access to the sewage line, and now the sewage can flow freely,” Sandikie explained during the tour.

The operation is crucial for addressing blockages in manholes that have caused waste to back up into streets and homes. Sandikie pointed out that the sewage lines run by gravity from Johnson Street through Lynch Street and beyond. “But because of the encroachments, the buildings prevent the sewage from flowing properly, creating an unsanitary environment,” he added.

The long-term benefits of this operation are clear. “With these demolitions, we can clean the lines, repair broken manholes, and ensure that the waste flows efficiently to our treatment plants,” Sandikie said. “We will rehabilitate the lines, so waste from the surrounding areas can be properly conveyed and treated.”

The demolition initiative is part of a broader effort to rehabilitate Monrovia’s sewage system. Sandikie stressed that the goal is not just to remove the obstructions but also to upgrade the infrastructure to ensure efficient waste flow all the way to the Fiamah Treatment Plant. He also emphasized that the sewage lines were originally constructed with a legal framework dating back to 1953, which prohibited construction within a 15-foot radius of sewage lines. “Any development that encroaches on these lines is illegal, and demolition is a necessary consequence to maintain the sewage system,” he said.

LWSC’s long-term strategy includes not just clearing the blockages but investing in better infrastructure, including improved manholes and sewage flow systems. “The system has been severely compromised, but through this demolition and subsequent upgrades, we aim to restore full functionality to the sewage lines,” Sandika said.

Despite the need for these measures, the demolitions have sparked mixed reactions from the public. Some residents are concerned about displacement and inconvenience, but many understand the necessity of the operation. “We know this is hard for some people,” Sandikie acknowledged. “But this demolition is not just for today; it’s for the future of Monrovia. A cleaner and healthier Monrovia will benefit everyone.”

The LWSC aims to complete the demolitions and begin rehabilitating the sewage lines over the next few months. Sandikie concluded, “In the next three months, we expect Monrovia to smell fresh, and the quality of life for the people here will improve.”