THE Commonwealth Utilities Corp. has issued citations to 54 government and private establishments for serious water leaks, following 423 inspections conducted recently in Garapan, Lower Base and Puerto Rico.
CUC spokeswoman Pamela Mathis said the U.S. Army Reserve building had a large overflowing leak from the water tank at the time of the inspection.
She said the Northern Islands Mayor’s Office also had a leak in the water pipeline that came out of the building to the outdoor hose connection. Water was also leaking at the Garapan Head Start building.
Most leaks detected were outside tanks and pipelines, Mathis said.
John Mafnas, chairman of CUC’s water audit team and warehouse manager, said an estimated 25 percent of the water was leaking, but this would have been higher if CUC’s leak detection crew had access to indoor plumbing.
The inspection team also found that there were many large tanks on rooftops and behind homes.
“Nevertheless, customers surveyed said they still have a dire need for more water, improved quality and many would be willing to pay a little more—about $20 more per month for desalination,” said Mathis.
CUC’s leak detection crew, along with top officials that included Executive Director Bernard P. Villagomez and board member Frank Camacho, conducted the inspections.
Mathis said the Saipan Mayor’s Office also assisted the CUC water leak detection team, specifically in discussing alternate water delivery.
