By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE Public School System says Chacha Oceanview Junior High School has the highest water consumption among its 20 schools on Saipan, Rota and Tinian.
The school’s water bill amounted to $17,627 in November, which Education Commissioner David Borja described as “impossible” based on the number of Chacha students.
In December, Borja said Chacha’s bill increased to $63,203.
“This is a concern…because if you look at the student population of Chacha, there’s no way the students can use that amount of water,” Borja said, adding that excessive water use in the school is now being addressed by PSS in coordination with the CNMI Water Task Force.
Borja said other schools that showed significant increases in their water bills included Koblerville Elementary School — from $3,409 in November, its bill went up to $13,047 in December.
MHS, in contrast and despite its large student population, incurred a water bill of $6,438, in December, which was $318 less than its November consumption,
Borja said despite the efforts of PSS to address its excessive water usage, consumption remains high in some schools based on the December billing which showed an increase of 36 percent, or from $119,105 to $187,457.
He said they are expecting a reduction in water bills in the next months as a result of the repairs of leaks in schools and the installation of smart meters on campuses.
“There are some schools that are being charged for facilities that are not PSS property,” he said.