What prompted CUC boil water notice?

Marissa R. Flores

Rep. Marissa Renee Flores (Ind-Saipan) sought an explanation yesterday from the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. about its public advisory notice regarding water contamination in the southern areas of Saipan.

At the same time, CUC also issued a precautionary “boil water” notice effective yesterday, June 22, 2023, for its water customers that are being served by the Dandan Tank Service Area. The “boil water” notice will remain in effect “until such time that CUC is able to provide results showing that the water meets Safe Drinking Water regulations.”

This will affect CUC water customers in the areas of Tun Herman Pan Road (Airport Road), As Lito, Chalan Monsignor Martinez Road from the Shell Dandan Gas Station to ABCD Market in Koblerville, Tottotville, and portions of As Perdido and Koblerville.

In a letter to acting CUC executive director Betty G. Terlaje, Flores said that, although this may be a southern area supply notice, all water systems are interconnected, hence her effort to obtain some clarification.

The lawmaker asked for the contamination levels for perfluorooctaine sulfonate/perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOS/PFOA) in the affected area, what caused the contamination, and the harm it could cause to the community if not addressed immediately.

Flores chairs the House of Representatives Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee.

CUC’s precautionary “boil water” notice yesterday warned that there is a possible contamination of the Dandan Water Tank. This prompted CUC to isolate the Dandan Water Tank, resulting in low water pressure to no water in the Dandan Tank Service Area of the water distribution system.

To allow customers access to water for cleaning and sanitary purposes, CUC said it will reactivate the water supply for customers. A “boil water” notice means that boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice.

Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. All stored water, drinks, or ice made recently from this supply should be discarded.

CUC inspected the Dandan water tank for signs of forced entry and contamination and stated that it continues to monitor the bacteriological samples.

CUC previously stated that studies indicate that exposure to PFOS and PFOA over certain levels may result in adverse health effects, including developmental effects on fetuses during pregnancy or to breastfed infants, cancer, liver effects, immune defects, thyroid effects, and other effects.