CUC said water production is short of about 1 million gallons a day because two of the largest water sources on Saipan, both located on Capital Hill, have been depleted.
The other Saipan water wells are experiencing extremely high salinity level while overall aquifer levels are falling due to the drought.
“The island of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has experienced moderate drought conditions for the preceding six months and a complete lack of significant rainfall events since the latter half of 2006,” CUC said in its water shortage declaration submitted to the Legislature.
Bruce Megarr, the deputy director of CUC, said water rationing plan is still not in effect but may be implemented if the situation worsens.
“We’re considering the best ways to minimize the impact to residents,” he said. “Our goal is to prevent what we hope is a short-term water shortage from developing into an islandwide crisis.”
Drying up
According to the Pacific El Niño Southern Oscillation Applications Climate Center, there hasn’t been any significant monsoon or tropical cyclones in Guam and the CNMI since the latter half of 2006.
Rainfall on Guam and the CNMI is anticipated to return to normal for the remainder of the dry season.
“The months of October through December may be wetter than normal if tropical cyclone activity returns near normal in the region. The tranquil weather patterns of past two years is expected to continue at least through the coming of the rainy season in July. The greatest risk of a damaging cyclone will be during the months of September through December,” the center said.
Contingency plans
Despite a better rainfall forecast for the coming months, CUC is already putting in place plans to ration water in affected areas.
Under this plan, Lower As Teo Area will only get water service four days a week — Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday — from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Egigi Drive will have water supply on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Capital Hill will have its water supply daily but from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. The same schedule will be applied to Wireless Ridge, 1300 Block and Talafofo.
Portions of Garapan — from 99 Cents Store to the Japanese Jail — will have daily water supply from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
The area from Winchell’s Garapan to the fire station will also have daily water supply but from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. only.
CUC may also resort to other conditions such as prohibition on watering lawns or ornamental plants and commercially grown crops and farms from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. daily.
“CUC Water and Wastewater Division is continuing to link water systems throughout Saipan to maximize distribution system flexibility and allowing storage of available water in areas where it is needed most. We have over 400 miles of water main and laterals to service,” CUC said.
The utilities corporation is asking the public to report all suspected leaks to its control desk at 235-0282 and water theft or meter tampering at 483-4027.
