CUC Saipan records drinking water violations in 7 months

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s water system on Saipan incurred several drinking water violations for total coliform bacteria during more than half the entire year of 2007.

According to CUC’s latest water quality report, the utility agency had violations in the drinking water maximum contaminant level for total coliform in seven months.

The report states that the drinking water violations were detected in the months of February, March, April, August, October, November, and December.

The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the presence of fecal coliform or E. coli in drinking water is a serious health concern.

Federal law requires CUC to tell the public about any drinking water violations.

According to CUCs’ report, fecal coliform or E. coli are generally not harmful themselves, but their presence in drinking water is serious because they are usually associated with sewage and animal waste.

The contaminated water may cause disease, with symptoms that may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and any associated headaches and fatigue.

In February, the affected areas were in As Lito, As Perdido, Chalan Kanoa, Chalan Kiya, Koblerville, and Lower Dandan.

In March, the affected areas were Achugao, Airport, As Perdido, and Gualo Rai.

In April, the violations were found in As Perdido, Chalan Kanoa, Garapan, and Sadog Tasi.

Six areas were affected in August. They were in Lower Base, Lower Navy Hill, Koblerville, Obyan, Sadog Tasi, and Upper Miha.

Six other areas were detected to have violations in October. They were in As Perdido, Chalan Kiya, Dandan Koblerville, Upper Kagman Road, and Upper Miha.

In November, As Gonno, As Lito, Lower Dandan, and Sadog Tasi had violations.

In December, the areas affected were Agag, As Perdido, Dandan Homestead, San Vicente, and Upper Kagman Road.

The CUC Lab and Water staff collected the water samples.

As problems were detected, CUC repaired the pipeline leaks and, when needed, added extra chlorine to the reservoirs and pumping stations.

CUC operates 41 chlorinating stations on Saipan, one on Tinian, and two in Rota.

CUC says violations occur when treatment equipment fails; chlorine treatment cylinders are ordered but are delayed in being shipped, causing periodic low chlorine treatment levels; and leaks in pipelines allowing ground contaminants to enter the pipes.

On Tinian, the violation was only detected in April.

On Rota, the violation was found only in June. But the island’s public water system had a violation for “failure to monitor” for total coliform in April.

It turned out that the water samples were collected on Rota but they did not arrive at the lab within the required time limit.