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CUC moves to avoid Tinian water crisis
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Posted on Jun 18 1999
Tinian will soon begin the process of contracting a private company to build a new well on the island as part of the efforts to avert potential serious water shortage in the next few years, according to utility officials.
“It’s not a crisis yet, but it will be if we don’t do it now,” said Gregorio Castro, deputy director of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation for Tinian.
The new well — an alternative to Maui well which has been the island’s main source of water for decades — will be bidded out starting July 2 to potential contractors.
According to Castro, this may take a few weeks or months as selection process will be conducted once the offers have been submitted to CUC, but added the government-owned utility firm will try to expedite the procedures in view of the condition of the existing well.
Pumping more than 1.3 million gallons a day for Tinian residents and commercial establishments, Maui is in need of immediate rehabilitation to ensure constant source of water for the island.
Unlike Saipan and Rota which now are both experiencing water shortages amid the prolonged dry spell in the CNMI, Tinian still provides 24-hour supply as its reservoir is one of the best source of potable water, Castro said.
The water situation on Tinian has come under scrutiny in recent months on the heels of inability by local officials to raise revenues to finance the well-drilling and rehabilitation project.
It has been banking on the two percent developer’s tax due from Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino amounting to $800,000, but the financially-trouble casino has asked for leeway in meeting its obligations to the government.
Castro said CUC has been assured by the Tinian Legislative Delegation that the money has been identified from the reprogramming of capital improvement projects.
So far, finance officials have yet to guarantee the availability of funds — a situation that may delay the construction of the critical utility projects. (Benhur C. Saladores)
