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Water Task Force gets $986K grant
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Posted on Apr 13 2005
The CNMI Water Task Force received notice from the Department of the Interior yesterday that the U.S. Congress has awarded the CNMI an additional $986,107 grant for water system rehabilitation projects.
This grant for FY 2005 comes on top of a $2 million supplement to the FY 2004 CIP project money from the U.S. Congress.
Don Smith, program manager for the task force, said the additional funds would be put to good use.
“We welcome the awarding of this grant,” Smith said, “because it will help us realize our initial goal of providing 24-hour water service to every home and business on Saipan. With the funds we received in FY 2004, we were able to purchase a tender truck for exploratory drilling as well as well-drilling tools and equipment. We awarded private well drilling contracts and were able to drill several new productive wells.
“With the FY 2005 funds, we plan on finding new sources of fresh water and continue to install water meters so that customers are billed fairly for their water usage,” he said.
Projects to be funded with the additional monies are first submitted to the Department of the Interior for approval. Once approved, the funds can be drawn down to pay vendors and contractors.
With the support of several key congressional representatives, the CNMI’s water situation has been highlighted for improvement through congressional actions as well as Capitol Improvement Project money.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta appointed Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente to head the Water Task Force in 2003, and millions of dollars have been committed to bring the CNMI’s water quality up to par with mainland standards. (PR)
