He told Commonwealth Utilities Corp. officials that although, he was impressed with CUC’s water and wastewater report, the CNMI should also achieve “acceptable 24/7 water service.”
CUC is a recipient of millions of dollars in federal funds.
Babauta was briefed by CUC officials yesterday on the water and wastewater projects funded by Interior’s Office of the Insular Affairs at the CUC Power Plant 1 in Lower Base.
CUC water and wastewater engineer Christi Lazaro informed Babauta about the “dramatic decrease” in funding from fiscal years 2007 to 2008, totaling some $4 million.
From 2007 to 2008, CUC completed $9.2 million worth of federally funded projects.
Lazaro said OIA’s grant to Saipan water projects for 2009 reached $2.7 million while a $2 million grant was provided for 2010.
She said CUC already completed the water zoning analysis and the planning to implement the water projects that will eventually pressurize all water connections.
However, she added, CUC needs more funding to implement the project.
During the presentation, Babauta said he was “very motivated” by what he heard and promised to help secure funding for the water project.
Wallon Young, deputy director for power generation, said 70 percent of water customers are receiving “24/7 non-stop water service.”
The remaining 30 percent will be completely pressurized from three to four years from now, he said.
Lazaro said about 20 percent of water from the CUC water system is now “potable” because of a “consistent chlorination process.”
Babauta expressed concern about the span of time needed to completely pressurize all water connections on island.
CUC assistant director for power, water and wastewater Abe Utu Malae said they have an average of 10 percent completion of pressurizing water connection every year.
For the remaining 30 percent unpressurized water, it will take CUC three years to achieve a complete non-stop water service, he said.
