Saipan’s bottled water war rages

Stiff competition among 11 bottled water manufacturers and distributors on Saipan has driven others to sell a 5-gallon water for as low as $1.25, which was an impossible price just a few years back, but others tout safer and better tasting products.

Saipan Cool Water Mfg., which opened only in November 2008, is giving old-timers a run for their money by selling a 5-gallon water for only $1.25 to customers who buy directly from their Kannat Tabla facility, and $1.75 for water delivered to homes and offices.

“We offer a reasonable rate, given the state of our economy,” Larry Deleon Guerrero, manager of Saipan Cool Water, told Saipan Tribune yesterday.

Despite being the lowest priced, he said that Saipan Cool Water’s products are clean and safe. Deliveries, he added, are also very consistent.

“Our water tastes good, and is safe to drink. We get our water from a water well, and not from the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. We are checked periodically by the Division of Environmental Quality and a private lab tests our water regularly,” Deleon Guerrero said.

Nico Flores, sales supervisor at Saipan Ice & Water Co. Inc., said they are the only water manufacturer that has an in-house chemist to regularly check the safety and quality of their products.

“This means the water delivered to customers are safe to drink,” Flores said in an interview at their Lower Base plant on Saturday. He added that their products, facility and detergent are approved by DEQ, the Bureau of Environmental Health and/or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Saipan Ice & Water, which carries the name “Sparkle Clean” on its labels, is the first and biggest water manufacturer on Saipan in 25 years. It offers regular water and fluorinated water, which can be distinguished by their green caps. He said their automatic bottling machine cleans, refills and caps 720 five-gallon water an hour.

“We have the cleanest and safest water because of the way we process our product,” Flores said, adding that they have multiple sources of water: deep well, rainwater and CUC.

Lito Dizon, also a sales supervisor at Saipan Ice & Water, urged consumers not to be easily lured by lower priced bottled water. Saipan Ice & Water delivers 5-gallon water for $2.50.

“Be wise,” he said. “Try to visit their facility to see how their water is manufactured.”

John Tagabuel, director of the Bureau of Environmental Health, said all water manufacturers undergo random checks and regular inspection upon renewal of the yearly sanitation permit.

“To date, all the water distributors are in compliance with BEH sanitary standards. All are required to meet minimum sanitary requirements and conditions prior to being granted sanitary permit,” he told Saipan Tribune.

He said the 11 water manufacturers are: Diamond Water & Ice; JG Sablan Water Co.; Marianas Ice and Water; Mountain Fresh Water; PI’s Ice & Water; Saipan Cool Water; Saipan Ice & Water; Star Marianas Water; Swip Water; The Water Company; and Twinkle Brite Water.

Swip Water, also one of the newest water manufacturers on Saipan, has the lowest price for a 5-gallon water delivered to houses and offices at $1.50.

Customers who buy from Swip Water’s facility in Sadog Tasi pay only $1.50 for every 5 gallons of water.

Marianas Ice & Water in Papago delivers 5-gallon water for $2 to $2.50, depending on the location of the customer. Customers who buy directly from the facility are charged $1.50, according to the office yesterday.

The Water Company, which carries the “Crystal Pure” brand, delivers 5-gallon water for $2. It boasts of a quality product and on-time delivery.

“Our water has a different taste because we don’t use deep well water which, over time, becomes contaminated. Our product is a combination of CUC water and rainwater so it’s better tasting and tastes fresh,” Emri R. Villanueva, sales manager of The Water Company, said in an interview at their Lower Base facility on Saturday.

Eli Mindanao, supervisor at JG Sablan Ice & Water, yesterday said their water product tastes better than others because they get water from a deep well in Gualo Rai, and does not rely on CUC water.

“CUC water is salty. Others also tell us that our water sometimes tastes like coconut and it tastes good,” he said.

JG Sablan Ice & Water delivers 5-gallon water for $1.50 to $2.50, depending on the location of the customer. Customer who buy directly from JG Sablan Ice & Water’s facility in Garapan are charged $1.75 per 5 gallons.

“Others sell water for a lower price. But even with the economy, customers should consider the taste of the water. Is it safe? Our product is tried and tested,” he said, adding that JG Sablan Ice & Water has been operating since 1990.

Ronnie Bunao, supervisor at Star Marianas Water, yesterday boasted of their water quality and on-time delivery. The company treats and purifies seawater using a high-caliber reverse osmosis system.

“As of now, we don’ have price control here. Others offer much lower prices. Customers should know that even if we have a higher price, the quality of our water is better. And how can others lower their price if we have the same costs? Cheaper isn’t necessarily better,” he said.

Star Marianas delivers 5-gallon water for $2. Customers only pay $1.50 if they buy directly from the Star Marianas facility along Beach Road in Garapan. “We are so accessible,” Bunao added.

The Bureau of Environmental Health, according to Tagabuel, recently cited a water manufacturer after a BEH sanitary inspector found an employee washing bottles in an unapproved wash bottle basin.

“The establishment was cited and had subsequently rectified the violation,” he said.

In his opinion, competition drives the cost of products down. This, he said, is good for consumers who have a wider choice.