Esther Fleming, the governor’s special assistant for administration, said the water project, which funded by a federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, will improve the water supply in the areas it serves.
But the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. still has to improve further its distribution system, said Fleming, who represented Gov. Benigno R. Fitial during yesterday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.
CUC Executive Director Antonio Muna is hoping the EPA can provide more assistance in the improvement of water distribution.
The CNMI still needs additional infrastructure to improve the distribution system to the households, he said.
EPA Pacific region project officer Mike Lee said his office is looking forward to fund other development projects
The water tank project, he said, is very important in achieving the desired quality and quantity of water supply on Saipan.
Lee was accompanied by other EPA officials during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $3.4 million water tank project in Kannat Tabla.
The tank is 37.59 feet in height and 70 feet in diameter. It has a total capacity of 1.05 million gallons of water.
Bruce Megarr, CUC deputy director for water and wastewater, said the project was completed on time.
Areas that will be served by the water tank include Kannat Tabla, El Toro, Finasisu, As Perdido and some areas in southern Garapan, he said.
Larry Manacop, CUC water division project engineer, said about 350 households will now get 24-hour water service.
Their office, he added, is also working to increase the water pressure in other areas.
