Possible water shortage worries CUC

There is a big possibility that another El Nino phenomenon aggravated by the onset of the dry season will adversely affect the Northern Marianas’ water level this year through 2002.

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporations said the onset of summer might affect water reservoir levels. Once this happens, there will be changes on continued distribution of water on Saipan and other complicated areas.

In preparation to these possible problems, the CUC Water Division stepped up efforts on routine leak detection services. Search for illegal pumps were also beefed up.

In a report, the division admitted that there is a great possibility of the recurrence of the El Nino phenomenon next year that public awareness programs are being strictly implemented.

CUC officials said El Nino happens every three to five years and a similar incident in 1998 is likely to happen, which necessitates the installation of measures to respond to future water concerns.

Further, the corporation is also conducting continued door to door surveys, inspection of government buildings, among other routine detection programs.

“Using our federal grant funds, the Water division also completed additional Leak Detection training last week, and we are increasing public education about the dry season. Perhaps conditions this time next year will be similar to El Nino drought in 1998,” the report reads.

Apart from public awareness programs, CUC is also fast-tracking other water well projects and identification of new drill sites to discover other sources of water to be distributed to CNMI residents.

Officials underscored needs to obtain assistance from the US Bureau of Reclamation to push the water through 10 complicated regions on Saipan and to resolve topography issues, series of distribution systems, and to work with the US Geological Survey to train CUC staff.

The report further disclosed that there are six new drill sites located at Gualo Rai, Navy Hill, and As Matuis while works continue on the development of new wells on Mt. Tapochau.

Development of water production sites continue and drill works were completed at the Obyan water station. The new well can produce an estimated 72,000 gallons of water every month. CUC officials said another well is being developed and the same amount of water well is expected to be derived from the said water field.

Saipan residents have been experiencing temporary water outage for the past several weeks. Last week, CUC informed residents of Southern Saipan that mechanical breakdown resulted to water problems and water rationing were scheduled.

Areas in Chalan Kanoa, Susupe, San Jose, and As Perdido are receiving low water pressure because of low rainfall and reservoir levels. Residents of Upper Kanat Tabla receive water every 8:30 am through 2:30 pm while Fina Sisu residents’ supply starts between 2:30 pm through the night. (EGA)