Overview:
Residents are being urged to stay out of the water around Malakal after a sewage pipeline beneath the Minatobashi bridge was accidentally damaged during bridge construction. PPUC has prohibited swimming and all other water activities in the affected area until further notice.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (July 30, 2026)— Swimming and all other water activities have been temporarily prohibited in waters stretching from the former CIP office to Happy Landing, Long Island Park and Ice Box Park in Malakal area of Koror after a sewage pipeline beneath the Minatobashi bridge was accidentally damaged during construction of the new bridge.
Videos showing water gushing from a large pipe beneath the bridge spread rapidly across social media Wednesday, drawing more than 7,000 views within hours.
Palau Public Utilities Corp (PPUC) CEO Frank Kyota confirmed that the damaged pipe is a sewage pipeline that was accidentally broken during construction work on the new Minatobashi bridge. He said the project’s contractor, Surangel & Sons, is working as quickly as possible to repair the pipeline.
The incident occurred Wednesday, prompting PPUC to issue a public notice on its social media pages warning residents to stay out of the water until further notice.
According to the notice, swimming and all other water activities are prohibited in the affected area, which extends from the former CIP office to Happy Landing, Long Island Park and Ice Box Park in Malakal, because of the potential health risks associated with the sewage discharge.
PPUC advised the public to avoid entering the water in the affected areas until repairs are completed and the restriction is lifted.
Construction of the new Minatobashi bridge is part of a grant-funded project by the Government of Japan to improve a critical transportation link connecting the rest of Palau to the nation’s only commercial port in Malakal.
The bridge replacement project is expected to be completed in April 2027.
