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Water panel moves to extend joint well-drilling agreement with USGS
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Posted on Dec 21 2004
The CNMI Water Task Force has committed $124,875 to fund the extension of a joint agreement between the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and the U.S. Geological Survey for a water drilling project at Mt. Tapochau.
The funds will come from the recently signed Saipan Local Law 14-11, which identified $1 million for the Water Task Force. The amount will cover CUC’s share in the agreement, which will run from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, 2005.
Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, who also heads the task force, said the USGS’ water resources investigation is essential to his group’s own exploratory well drilling program.
He said the data and expertise provided by USGS will guide drillers in identifying sites where they should explore for new water resources. He reported that to date, 11 exploratory wells have been drilled with USGS’ help, and all 11 hit water.
“This success rate is attributable to the geological and hydrological expertise that USGS provides to CUC and the Water Task Force. At an estimated cost of $12,000 per day to the government, this program can only be cost-efficient if USGS continues to assist CUC and the WTF,” Benavente said.
CUC’s fiscal year 2004 contract with USGS, amounting $333,000, ended last Sept. 30. Both agencies signed a 90-day extension agreement, with the Water Task Force footing half of CUC’s $41,624 share.
The extension will expire on Dec. 31.
In a Dec. 10 letter, CUC executive director Lorraine Babauta said the utility firm wanted to continue the program. However, she said, CUC could not fund the program because of its current financial condition. She asked Benavente for financial support.
The USGS study is part of efforts to provide 24-hour water service for the whole island of Saipan.
Last month, the Water Task Force received a new mobile well drilling rig.
Costing about $97,000, the rig is so far the government’s biggest purchase for the improvement of Saipan’s water system. The equipment was bought with funds provided by the U.S. Congress for well exploration.
The Water Task Force aims to drill about 100 wells within a year.
