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73 pct. of Saipan has 24-hr water service
Maui IV well needs extensive repairs
The number of areas with 24-hour water service on Saipan has declined from December of last year.
Currently, 73 percent of Saipan has 24-hour water, according to the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
Last December, 96 percent of Saipan’s population has access to 24-hour water.
Some of the areas that have limited water services are Lower As Matuis, San Roque, Tanapag, Sadog Tasi, some parts or Garapan, Navy Hill, China Town, Obyan, and As Terlaje Hill.
Aside from leaks and repairs, some problems from water sources were also identified.
Among them is the Maui IV Shaft well, which had portions of its cement wall collapse into its basin and resulted to a pump failure.
“The walls are starting to collapse so that well, that shaft has been decommissioned at this particular junction and documentation is being prepared to outsource the repairs and its going to be down for quite some time,” CUC acting executive director Gary Camacho said.
The well is a source of water for Garapan, China Town, Puerto Rico, and Navy Hill areas.
“It’s very crucial for that area of customers,” Camacho added.
Asked how long the well will be unavailable, Camacho said. “Depending on the bids that’s how long.”
CUC cannot yet give a timeline on when Maui IV will be back in operations as extensive repairs are needed on the existing cements walls that are 220 feet deep.
Camacho said there is funding for Maui IV, however, they have yet to determine if it can be used for repairs of the walls.
