Severe drought: It’s here

Customers accustomed to having water through the dinner hour and who flush toilets without care are realizing this week the severity of Saipan’s drought.

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation last fall warned island residents to install rainwater catchment tanks and to prepare for a drought.

The utility obtains its water from three places: a 20 million gallon rainwater catchment tank at the airport, natural springs, and from a series of water wells. All of these sources of water are contingent upon the level of rainfall.

When the utility knew that Saipan received less than half of its normal rainfall during last year’s “rainy season,” it was obvious that we would experience a drought this spring.

“The first customers who noticed the problem live in the Agag, Capitol Hill and Wireless Ridge areas. We used to be able to supply them water up until 8 each night, but now the water level is so low, we can give them water only until 5:30 or 6 each night,” explained Jess Castro, the manager for the utility’s water division.

Castro said that under normal conditions, six pumps bring water from the underground source to the pipeline on Capitol Hill. This week, three of the six pumps were sucking up air.

The Capitol Hill area will not be the only affected by the drought. Customers who live in southern Saipan will begin to notice that their water is becoming saltier. This is because fresh rainwater is not recharging the wells, instead, the water in the wells is drying up allowing the seawater to mix with the fresh water.

The utility will likely increase water rationing as the drought continues. Meantime, customers are advised to install rainwater catchment tanks and gutters.

The gutters are installed around the rooftop. They filter the rain from the roof into the tank so that extra water is saved each time it rains. Customers should also institute water conservation measures if they haven’t already.

Conservation tips include:

•Make sure there are no water leaks in your faucets or neighborhood. Call CUC’s Leak Detection Team for help at 2352282.

•Make sure the toilet is not leaking water (this is often the source of major leaks). Train the housekeepers to use water wisely.

•Fill the sink with water to wash dishes instead of allowing the water to go down the drain. Take short showers, not baths. Save the shower water and fill your washing machine with it (recycle the water).

•Wash clothes in the washer only when you have a full load, instead of doing several small loads of laundry. Recycle the washing machine water by using it in your garden or for flowers.

•Water plants only once a week and only in the evening.

•Do not let children play with the hose during a drought.

•Purchase watersaving showerheads and devices.

•If you are building a new home or business, install LOWFLOW TOILETS (1.6 gallons).