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Propst: Water pipes needs to be fixed, replaced
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s busted and old water pipes need to be replaced after three villages in the southern portion of Saipan recently went three days without water, according to Rep. Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan).
In fact, Propst told Saipan Tribune that water distribution in the As Lito, Dandan, and Koblerville areas were cut short during one weekend last month.
Propst wants to find a solution to the island’s water woes as some of Saipan’s aging water pipes were installed before World War II. He added that residents of affected areas have been posting on Facebook.
“There’s been a lot of frustration with the water issue. It has been ongoing and it affects everybody throughout the island. It’s nothing new,” said Propst. “Judging from the water pipes that are busting everywhere, these pipes are antiquated and a lot of them are from World War II days or even before perhaps.”
Residents of the affected areas usually get water at least four hours a day, from 6am to 10am. Propst said they called CUC and they were informed that a water pipe along Airport Road broke.
“This had to be repaired but in order to repair it they have to shut down all the water so they could not run anything. Families with water pumps or water tanks did not have any problems but there are a lot that don’t have that kind of luxury,” said Propst.
Propst added the CUC board is pushing to spend $188 million on a reverse osmosis system to solve the water crisis. “But what are we going to do will all of this old pipes even if you have this reverse osmosis system?”
“I’ve met with waste and water engineers. I’ve spoken to former CUC employees and they’ve given all the information on this. Our concern now is how do we solve this?” said Propst.
“They could double the capacity and water production but we are going to be faced with the same problem. And the obvious solution is fixing the pipes.”
He said that distribution must also be looked into since out of 10 gallons of water produced about seven gallons are wasted daily due to leaks or theft.
