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Lower Base sewer system close to design phase
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is close to finalizing the selection process for a contractor to design the Lower Base sewer system replacement, according to CUC executive director Alan Fletcher.
Fletcher noted that the selection must be approved by the funding agency, the U.S Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Agency, prior to the awarding of a contract.
The Lower Base sewer system need to be replaced as it is already old, dilapidated, and dates back to Saipan’s Naval administration.
The design will intercept the existing Capital Hill sewer in the lower portion of Isa Drive and will service the main Lower Base industrial area and includes a new lift station that will pump into the existing force main coming from Tanapag.
The force main will then be extended and enlarged from the point of connection to discharge to the existing S-3 lift station at the Saipan Seaport, enabling the abandonment of lift station S-1, T-3, and the Tan Holdings lift station.
The connection of all the existing and active buildings in the area will also be included in the design.
“The contract will give 180 days [six months] for the consultant to complete the design work,” Fletcher said.
He said that CUC has applied for construction funding with the assistance of the Water Task Force through EDA with “matching funds” provided by the CNMI Capital Improvement Project.
“CUC has not received any word on whether a grant will be awarded for construction,” Fletcher said.
