By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
DISTRICT Court for the NMI designated Judge David O. Carter will visit Rota on Feb. 25 to inspect Commonwealth Utilities Corp. facilities.
The trip comes after Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission Chair James Sirok raised concerns about the island’s water system, infrastructure gaps, and billing issues.
Judge Carter, who oversees the federal stipulated orders governing CUC, has also ordered a U.S. Department of Justice attorney to appear in person during the inspection.
Sirok briefed the CUC board on Jan. 8, about issues residents raised during the CPUC’s two‑day visit to Rota in December 2025. He said many residents questioned why they continue to pay water and electric charges when much of the island’s system is gravity-fed.
Sirok also described the commission’s visit to the water cave, which supplies Rota’s drinking water. Commissioners had to traverse a washed-out road before climbing a stairway of more than 130 steps. He called the route dangerous and in need of repair, noting that CUC staff must regularly make the climb to take readings.
Residents also raised concerns about the lack of utility infrastructure in homestead areas, which prevents families from building on their lots.
Sirok said the absence of a dedicated water rate for farmers was another issue, adding that the Legislature has asked CPUC to review the matter. He encouraged CUC to work with its consultants to determine whether such a rate is feasible.
Judge Carter’s upcoming inspection is part of the federal court’s ongoing oversight of CUC under Stipulated Orders 1 and 2, issued in November 2008 after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cited the CNMI and CUC for violations of the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.
The orders require CUC to provide safe drinking water on a 24‑hour basis, maintain adequate chlorine supplies, safely treat and discharge wastewater, develop long-term capital improvement and financial plans, and implement projects identified in the utility’s master plan.
The orders also mandate organizational restructuring to ensure key employees have appropriate qualifications.
Federal oversight has continued for more than 15 years as the federal court monitors CUC’s progress toward meeting the requirements of both orders.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
