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Taskforce allowed to dig 60 new wells
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Posted on Aug 04 2004
The Water Taskforce is now permitted to dig up to 60 new wells on Saipan in its efforts to deliver a 24-hour water supply on the island by Dec. 2005.
Taskforce staff Felix Sablan said the Division of Environmental Quality issued several permits last week for exploratory drilling in several areas on the island.
In particular, he said these sites which were identified by the U.S. Geological Survey, are located in As Matuis and Obyan areas.
He said that the taskforce is finalizing the selection of bidders on private drilling
He said it is estimated that the exploratory drilling activities would be completed by February 2005.
“Depending on the availability of the funds, we can certainly proceed beyond the first 50 wells and continue for the rest of next year,” said Sablan.
This as he noted that a new drilling rig, which is being manufactured in Pittsburg, would be shipped to Saipan by the middle of next month.
Taskforce chairman Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente signed Tuesday the contract purchase for the drilling rig amounting to $836,000.
He also signed a $400,000 contract for the purchase of 4,000 special meters for installation beginning this year.
Sablan said the bid for the installation of the meters would soon be closed.
“As soon as the meters are here, we can immediately go ahead with the installation,” he said.
Special meters will be installed in problem areas such as Garapan, Chalan Kanoa, and Susupe while conventional water meters will continue to be installed in other areas.
The taskforce said meters must be installed to ensure that consumers pay for water that they actually use.
Currently, most consumers pay a flat rate of $11 a month primarily because of the lack of a 24-hour water supply.
