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TF: Illegal tapping of CUC water rampant
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Posted on Jan 06 2005
Millions of gallons of water are being lost each day not only to leaks as earlier perceived but also to rampant illegal connections.
Water Task Force manager Don Smith and senior staff Felix Sablan disclosed yesterday that the task force has began its campaign against users who are illegally tapping into the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. water pipes or tanks.
“We’ll go after them. We’ll get them,” said Sablan yesterday.
“We found that we’re losing a substantial amount of water due to such activities [illegal connection],” Smith added.
They said that, of the over 8 million gallons of water produced daily, only about 5 million is actually consumed by consumers on Saipan.
“The demand is only 5 million gallons everyday. Where does the 3 million gallons go?” asked Smith.
Earlier, both CUC and Water Task Force officials believed that water is lost mostly to leaks, majority on the customer side.
“It’s not just leaks that we’re concerned about. Most of it is taken out of the system [illegally],” said Smith.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente said yesterday that the task force is moving forward with its goal of providing the island 24-hour water supply.
He said the task force expects to receive 4,000 new Smart Meters anytime now, which would be installed in key areas on Saipan by next month.
At the same time, the task force is focusing on installing new transmission waterline, overflow transmission waterline, and new distribution waterline to ensure a sustained pressurized system.
Further, he reported that the task force, using its own water drilling rig, has began drilling a new well on Mt. Tapochao, which would boost the water supply in the commercial district in Garapan.
So far, he said, the task force in coordination with CUC, has dug 12 new wells.
Based on the plan, 100 new wells must be developed to ensure a more stable water supply on the island. Once online, some existing low-producing wells would be shut down.
There are 144 existing wells on Saipan but only 125 of these are considered “active.”
