WTF: 24/24 water target is on schedule

The Governor’s Water Task Force said in a statement yesterday that the goal of having an additional two million gallons of good quality water a day pumped into the distribution system by year’s end “is on schedule.”

Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, who heads the task force, was quoted in the statement as saying that 28 exploratory wells have been drilled so far, of which 18 have been tested.

Seventeen of the tested wells are expected to be on line by September this year, he said.

“Conservatively,” said Benavente, “the task force estimates that exploratory well drilling operations will progressively provide a minimum of two million gallons of good quality water into the system in the coming months.”

These developments came barely a year after the task force received initial funding in June 2004.

The exploratory well drilling operations are ongoing in Gualo Rai, Mt. Tapuchao, As Matuis, and Marpi, while well field improvements are underway in Kagman, Agag, Obyan and the Sablan Quarry well fields.

According to the task force, the six new replacement wells in Agag can altogether produce in excess of one million gallons of good water a day.

In February, the task force also struck an underground water supply on Mt. Tapuchao, which was initially estimated to have the capacity to produce up to 288,000 gallons a day,

The task force has set an aggressive drilling and well construction schedule that initially includes 100 exploratory wells. The task force had planned to put two million gallons a day of additional good quality water into the utility water system before the end of 2005.

It is estimated that Commonwealth Utilities Corp. pumps 8.5 million gallons of water a day.

In addition to the task force’s efforts to increase water supply are well field isolation projects where contracts for architectural and engineering designs are ongoing in Kagman, Agag, Sablan Quarry /Rapagual, Sadog Tasi, As Matuis and Marpi.

A&E designs for reservoirs are also ongoing in Agag, Calhoun, Finasisu, Kannat Tabla, Rapagual, Sadog Tasi and Tasa.

Another A&E design is also in progress for the renovation of the Capitol Hill reservoir.

The task force has purchased a new drill rig capable of drilling depths down to 2,000 feet; a site tender truck, a well derrick truck, new drilling tools and new well construction materials.

Two independent companies have also been contracted to drill the exploratory wells for the task force. Their participation in the drilling program has added to the task force’s success.

Moreover, the task force has embarked on a pressurization program of the water distribution system, which initially covers Garapan, Navy Hill, China Town, Chalan

Laolao, San Jose, Chalan Kanoa, Susupe, As Matuis, San Roque, Tanapag, Lower Base, Gualo Rai and Chalan Piao.

In connection to this, a Notice to Proceed has been issued to the contractor early in May to start the meter installation project. The contractor has 125 days to finish installing 4,000 meters. The task force will place orders for 8,000 more meters.

As part of the project, the contractor, along with staff from CUC, have started the groundwork by identifying waterline laterals.

Meter installation will begin from four points north and south of the island:

_ The Northern Marianas College water reservoir going down to Beach Road.

_ The reservoir on Isley Field going down to Chalan Piao.

_ The Navy Hill reservoir going down to the Maturana Hill, on to the Commonwealth Health Center and Beach Road in Garapan.

_ The Puerto Rico reservoir going down to Middle Road and on to Garapan.

Water meter installation will progress from these points with a convergence area near Kristo Rai Church in Garapan.

The task force was formed by Gov. Juan N. Babauta on March 6, 2003 to address the CNMI’s water problems. He appointed Benavente to head the special body.

In fiscal year 2004, the task force received $5.2 million from the Department of the Interior, and another $2 million in Special Congressional Appropriations Grant.

For the current fiscal year, the task force will receive $6.48 million from the Interior, $1 million from Saipan Local Law 14-11, which was appropriated from poker revenues; and $986,107 in Interior grant for water system rehabilitation projects. (PR)