CUC provides updates on water service availability

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. continues its mission to bring limited water service to the island of Saipan by systematically deploying our Water Division resources to monitor reservoir levels and test line pressurization throughout our villages.

Until CUC is able to energize each of Saipan’s 150 wells, our Water Division is working to deliver islandwide water service, albeit in a limited capacity, using a network of generators from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Below is the current schedule for limited water service by village:

San Jose And San Antonio schedule change
CUC customers in San Antonio were not receiving water yesterday morning as repair teams have been dispatched to fix a major line break. Customers in the affected will receive limited water service this afternoon, which is reflected in the new schedule.

San Antonio will now receive water as follows:
• Odd days: 1pm-6pm
• Even days: 6pm-8am

San Jose will now receive water as follows:
• 8am-1pm daily

Limited water service schedule
• San Antonio: Odd days: 1pm-6pm Even days: 6pm-8am
• Chalan Piao: 8am-1pm daily
• Chalan Kanoa: Odd days: 6pm-8am Even days: 1pm-6pm
• Susupe: Odd days: 1pm-6pm Even days: 6pm-8am
• Oleai: Odd days: 1pm-6pm Even days: 6pm-8am
• San Jose: 8am-1pm daily
• Chalan Kiya: 24 hours (lower elevations only)
• Navy Hill (Upper): 11am-2pm daily
• Navy Hill (Lower): 8am-11am daily
• Chinatown: 2pm-4pm daily
• As Teo: 2:30pm-6:30pm daily
• As Matuis: 12pm – 4pm daily
• San Roque: 8am-12pm daily
• Koblerville Section 1: 7am – 12pm (odd days)
• Koblerville Section 2A: 2pm – 7pm (even days)
• Koblerville Section 2B: 7am – 2pm (even days)
• Koblerville Section 3A: 12pm – 6pm (odd days)
• Koblerville Section 3B: 6pm – 12am (odd days)
• Capital Hill is broken up into three sections:
• CH 1: 8am-12pm daily (East Isa Dr. from Sarah Market to Kagman Mobil Gas Station (including Atbut Dr., Egigi Dr., Ifet Dr., Chunge Pl., Fakpe PL., and Fahang Dr.).
• CH 2: 12pm-7pm (1200 block and the filling station)
• CH 3: 12pm-2pm 1300 block, Wireless Ridge, West Isa Dr. to Haat PL., and Chalan Talafofo. *1200 block will receive water up to 7pm due to the filling station).
• CH 4: 1:30pm-6pm (Papago Dr., Sosugi Dr., Isa Dr. from Ahgaga Dr. to Mulberry Ln.).

*All times are subject to change based on the volume of water coming into the tank

Kagman
Testing is ongoing in the village of Kagman. Limited water service to the village will continue as engineers and operations personnel finalize the schedule for water hours for all sections of Kagman; however, there is no set schedule available at this time.

Limited water service operation testing
Water is pumped into our reservoirs overnight by the generators provided by FEMA. Every morning, our engineers and operations staff record the water level inside of the tanks and calculate how many gallons of water per minute our wells are able to produce.

When water from the tanks is released into the system, our engineers and operations staff record the water level drop inside of the tank and calculate how much water it takes to pressurize the lines. Once this happens, our crews continue to monitor the water level inside of the tanks to determine how much water is used by customers inside the service area.

While this happens, our crews also monitor the service area for leaks and dispatch repair crews to problem areas. In order to isolate the service areas, the same crews are responsible for driving through the villages, opening and closing valves.

As each reservoir serves multiple areas, our crews must repeat this process multiple times to ensure that all of our customers receive limited water service.

This process is particularly challenging for our customers in Dandan, Fina Sisu, Kannat Tabla, As Lito, As Perdido, Chalan Kiya, As Terlaje, and Chalan Laulau because all of these villages are served by just two tanks.

Forecasting
CUC Engineering and Operations personnel continue testing the villages of Kannat Tabla, Fina Sisu, Upper Chalan Kiya, Dandan, As Lito, As Perdido, Tanapag, and San Vicente. As engineers and operations personnel receive results, an established schedule for limited water service will be released.

Water filling stations
CUC continues to provide up to 100 gallons of water per household per day at filling stations across Saipan. Residential customers may fill their containers in As Teo, Capital Hill, Kannat Tabla, and Navy Hill. Each site is open daily from 12pm-7pm.

The water made available at the filling stations is strictly for non-commercial residential use. No water buffaloes will be filled.

Commercial filling station
CUC has opened a commercial filling station in Chalan Kiya. Commercial customers are permitted to purchase up to 3,000 gallons per day at a rate of $.72 per 1,000 gallons. To avail of this service, commercial customers must first make a payment at our Dandan Customer Service Center and make an appointment to fill their respective tanks.

Shelter filling stations
CUC has identified two locations for the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services to escort tanker trucks that will provide water for the emergency shelters. These services are available by appointment only and are for the sole purpose of supplying water to the shelters.

Safety precaution
As a precaution, all water provided by CUC will need to be sanitized through the use of chlorine bleach or boiling before it can be used by the community.

FOR BOILING: Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

FOR CHLORINATING: Alternatively, customers may also disinfect their water with bleach using the following measurements:

NOTE: Allow the water to stand in a covered container, away from the sunlight, if possible, for at least 30 minutes.

For more information, visit our website www.cucgov.org or contact CUC’s Customer Call Center at 664-4CUC (664-4282). (CUC)