Diego to Fitial: Keep water task force

Outgoing Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente asked the incoming administration yesterday to let the CNMI Water Task Force complete its projects, which are estimated to cost an additional $58.3 million.

Benavente, chairman of the task force, said in a letter to Gov.-elect Benigno R. Fitial that the task force has taken on an ambitious undertaking that requires the sustained commitment of the Commonwealth government, regardless of administration.

He noted that a 2003 report by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommended improvements to the CNMI’s water infrastructure, with a total estimated cost of $139.6 million.

Due to limited funding, the WTF decided to focus on 10 projects and adopted a three-phase recovery program. The first two phases, which entail initial system pressurization and sustainable pressurization, are estimated to cost $49.6 million. Phase 3 involves establishing and maintaining potable water, with an additional cost of $29 million.

Benavente reported that to date, $20.3 million has been secured through allocation of Covenant funding through FY 2006 and special appropriations.

With these funds, the WTF has installed the first batch of 4,000 water meters. The second batch of 8,000 meters will be installed in the next 10 months, the lieutenant governor reported.

The task force has also opened 32 new wells and added 1.1 million gallons per day to the system, with another 0.5 million gallons per day pending approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

As for leak detection, 80 miles of main and service laterals have already been surveyed and the leaks repaired. The WTF has already inked a contract for the survey and repair of another 102 miles of water line and is getting ready to sign another contract for an additional 40 miles.

Components of Phases 2 and 3 that still need to be done include increased water storage volume from 9.6 million gallons to 22 million gallons; installation of the automated system control and acquisition; relocation of treatment to reservoirs; replacement of old waterlines; cleaning and disinfection of existing waterlines; operations and maintenance program; hiring of qualified operators; and implementation of sustainable rates.

According to Benavente, an additional $58.3 million is needed to complete the project, as adopted by the WTF. Future Covenant funds will need to be committed unless further special appropriations are made.

“However, the securing and committing of funding is not the only thing that will be necessary to sustain the momentum that has thus far been achieved,” Benavente said. “We have assembled a small but very capable and dedicated group at WTF. I strongly urge that you allow them to complete the task that they have undertaken.”

He also asked Fitial to maintain the WTF’s structure.

Benavente said the WTF’s single-minded focus is only possible because it is “a temporary entity, defined by its specific mission rather than an arm of a larger government structure. It is not burdened by day-to-day administration, operations, and maintenance.”

“The challenge of bringing reliable and potable water to the people of Saipan is critical. It has been my privilege to lead the Water Task Force during the first phase of its operations. I now turn it over to your capable leadership,” Benavente told the incoming administration.