$5.2 million for water project OK’d

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior David B. Cohen has approved a spending plan submitted by the Water Task Force to the Office of Insular Affairs that gives the task force $5.2 million for its various projects, according to a statement from the task force.

The project package was submitted three weeks ago and delineated where and how the fiscal year 2004 CIP grant for the Water Project will be spent. This will enable the Water Task Force and Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to execute several A&E and construction contracts.

Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, who is chair of the Water Task Force, expressed his appreciation for the timely approval of the grant.

“We are very fortunate that Mr. Cohen is well versed in our mission plan and supports this project. He understands the significance of Saipan being the only U.S. territory where residents do not have access to potable water. His commitment and support for the project allows the water situation in accordance with our Plan of Action. We will continue to work with his office to maintain the coordinated efforts of federal and local agencies,” said Benavente.

This grant provides funding for technical assistance to update a CUC rate study developed a few years ago. Benavente reiterated the need to update the study.

“It is important that we update this study to determine an appropriate rate for water use. If we are to seek alternative financing, we need to assure potential private investors that CUC maintains a steady and adequate revenue stream for debt service. This is the first step toward full cost recovery and alternative financing if we are to work towards potable water.”

The approval also allows the task force and CUC to optimize wells at the Sablan Quarry, Agak, Gualo Rai, Calhoun, Capitol Hill, and As Matuis well fields. This program intends to increase water quality and efficiency of the wells, as well as protect groun water resources.

Funding for this program also allows the task force and CUC to buy equipment and supplies needed for the new well rig that is presently being manufactured in Pittsburgh and is expected to arrive on Saipan in November.

Contracts for Hydraulic A&E designs and construction to isolate various wells from the distribution system can now be implemented, said Benavente. The Well Isolation Program is anticipated to improve the delivery and treatment of water to reservoirs.

“Direct injection of chlorine into the distribution system will be eliminated in this program. All wells in the Sablan Quarry and Agak well fields will be transmitted to the nearest reservoir for treatment then delivered to customers through the distribution lines,” he said.

The grant also provides for the task force and CUC to increase the production of water. Phase 1 of the New Wells Development Program includes construction of water and power lines for the nine new wells that will be constructed this year at the Obyan well field and the Sablan Quarry well field at Rapagaul.

Benavente said the task force and CUC continue to see rainwater catchment systems as a viable source of water. The task force and CUC have phased this program into four categories: residential, commercial, industrial, and government facilities. Incentive programs and installation of rainwater catchment systems for large government and commercial buildings will be addressed during this phase of the program.

One of the programs of the project that the task force considers important is the installation of electronic meters on non-pressurized zones. This is the first time that technology is available to account for water use in a non-pressurized area.

“These meters do not read air. CUC will now be able to charge customers for water based in use regardless of the number of hours water is delivered. It will encourage customers to repair leaks and conserve,” Benavente said. The task force and CUC will now be able to conduct leak detection effort in 24-hour pressure zones.

Contracts for a systemic leak detection program from reservoirs to CUC customers will soon be implemented. This effort will require digital correlators to accurately identify system leaks, categorize them based on volume loss, and report them for repair.

The task force and CUC will also do a one-time sweep of all customers to repair minor leaks, install water conservation devices, and develop public education programs. Unregistered users will be identified and disconnected in this program. These users will be required to apply for hookup, meter, and reactivation.

To address the deficiencies of storage requirement, the task force and CUC have dedicated funds to construct localized and new reservoirs. Phase I funding will include A&E, tank and waterline construction for the Calhoun water system, A&E for the Chalan Kania reservoir and the construction of the waterline. The cost to construct the Chalan Kanoa reservoir is already funded. The A&E and waterline costs are pending. The program intends to fund the deficit and get the new reservoir connected to the distribution line for Chalan Kanoa and Susupe. The task force and CUC personnel were recently able to secure MPLA Board approval to designate public land for this project.

With the approval of this grant, the task force and CUC will now be able to implement the recommendations of the Water Infrastructure Report developed for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The task force and CUC are also presently developing the grant package for FY05 to address Phase II funding. When the first seven recommendations are fully funded and completed, the WTF and CUC anticipate 24-hour system pressurization for the entire island of Saipan.