New wastewater collection pipeline installed

The village of Gualo Rai sits on the western hillside of Saipan—just a slope up from the island’s beautiful lagoon. Although the elevated village provides great ocean view of Managaha, sudden downpours drain hillside garbage, animal waste, pesticides and other pollutants right into the pristine water.

Thanks to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, one source of pollution will soon be eliminated. Right now, the Gualo Rai villagers use septic tanks because the island’s wastewater system isn’t piped through the hillside.

Construction begins this week on a pipeline project that will allow each household to hookup to the environmentally friendly wastewater system, rather than relying on septic tanks.

“Our goal is to protect the lagoon, our source of economic wealth. Our Community Utility meets all federal standards for wastewater treatment, and we are excited to extend this service to the people in Gualo Rai,” explained Timothy P. Villagomez the executive director of the utility.

According to Villagomez, septic tanks can be reliable, but only if residents have them emptied and cleaned out on a regular basis. Otherwise, the tanks overflow and leak into the ground. The waste is then carried down hill during rainstorms; or even worse, the sewage seeps into the groundwater table.

As elected leaders look for ways to help their constituents, the community utility is already taking action to reduce monthly sewage bills. “We are concerned that many people cannot afford to have their septic tanks cleaned out each month. With hard economic times, our utility is finding ways to protect the environment and help customers save money on monthly utilities,” Villagomez said.

Depending on the size of the family, monthly septic tank service can run from $4060. The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation is spending $165,000 to build the new pipeline system through the village of Gualo Rai. Within 180 days, residents will be able to hook up to the safe CUC system at a very low monthly cost.

The Gualo Rai wastewater expansion project is just one of five now underway on Saipan. Residents from As Lito to San Antonio, to Garapan, Navy Hill, and down Chalan Pale Arnold Road will all enjoy new and improved services this summer and fall.