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Garapan sewer line collapses
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Posted on Apr 09 2012
Thursday Street Market to be relocated
By Moneth Deposa
Reporter
Reporter
A dilapidated sewer line in Garapan collapsed last week, resulting in the relocation of the popular Garapan Street Market until the problem is addressed.
Alan Fletcher, deputy executive director of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., said the collapsed sewer pipe is located between two manholes on Coral Tree Avenue fronting the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan and Hyatt Regency Saipan-the same location as the Thursday Street Market.
Saipan Tribune learned that CUC is currently running a portable trash pump to divert wastewater from the blocked line. However, this is not a sustainable or desirable solution, especially located on Saipan’s busy tourist areas surrounding the Paseo de Marianas.
According to Fletcher, the collapse occurred at a very inconvenient location, exactly below where Saipan’s popular Street Market is held and within one of Saipan’s busiest tourist areas. CUC is coordinating with the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs for the temporary relocation of the Street Market. DCCA has yet to decide on a relocation site.
To repair this collapse, Fletcher said CUC has engaged the services of GPPC, Inc., to install new piping. The expected work was slated to begin last Saturday, April 7, and will run three to four weeks, costing $118,500.
It was learned that the collapsed sewer is a vintage ’70s asbestos concrete pipe that has become worn to the point of collapse. CUC has experienced problems with similarly constructed sewer pipes throughout its service area. This experience has shown CUC that repairs are not feasible and only total replacement will ensure system integrity.
In a statement from CUC yesterday, the agency said that steps have been taken to expedite the emergency construction and is working extended hours. The CUC statement said that it and GPPC are committed to completing the project as quickly as possible.
CUC officials earlier disclosed that the status of the island’s decades-old sewer system is a looming disaster that has the real potential of developing into a public health emergency. CUC has 3,000 sewer customers on island.
