SAIPAN — Commonwealth Utilities Corporation Executive Director Kevin Watson said Thursday that crews are targeting Friday to energize Power Plant 3, a development that could bring as many as 15 to 20 additional water wells online and dramatically expand water service across a large portion of Saipan.
Watson told NMI News Service that Power Plant 3 services 55 wells, and while not all of them sustained damage, getting the plant energized would allow three contractors working simultaneously on weatherhead repairs to accelerate their work. Three power line crews have been working all week replacing downed poles, restringing lines and replacing transformers to make the connection possible.
“We’re optimistic that that’s going to occur, but we don’t want to make any promises,” Watson said. “But it would be a major impact if it’s successful.”
CUC Utility Coordinator Joel Hoepner, who is managing daily water and wastewater operations during the recovery, laid out a series of significant wins from Thursday’s fieldwork across the island.
In Kagman, four wells came online Thursday afternoon, pumping water into the new one-million-gallon concrete tank near the Department of Corrections facility for the first time since the typhoon. Hoepner said teams are building tank level overnight and will assess in the morning before releasing water into the Kagman service area. He said crews will sweep the area for leaks when water is released.
In northern Saipan, five wells are pumping water into the As Matuis tank in the Marpi area, with chlorination and a booster pump now operational. CUC has been building tank level and managing distribution carefully to avoid draining the tank and introducing air into the lines.
The Puerto Rico TSA services much of Garapan, Middle Road down to the federal courthouse and Beach Road down to the American Memorial Park. CUC reported Wednesday that 60 percent of the service area now has 24-hour water service, with the remaining 40 percent receiving three to five hours daily.
The NMC tank area also saw its first wells come online Thursday, with approximately four wells now pumping into the tank for the first time since the typhoon. Hoepner said the outlet remains closed while tank levels build and that portions of As Terlaje, which runs along Middle Road into lower Chalan Kanoa and Chalan Kiya, are expected to receive water Friday. Kanat Tabla will be served through a booster pump from the NMC tank system once that is stabilized.
In Dandan, FEMA generators are now powering wells feeding into a 60,000-gallon temporary tank, with water flowing toward Exploring Drive near the Dandan driving range. Hoepner said some customers in the immediate area may have received water Thursday afternoon, and if not, service is imminent.
At the Calhoun tank on Navy Hill, CUC had five feet of water in the tank as of 1:00 p.m. Thursday, which is the most since the typhoon. Teams worked to build level before releasing water to Navy Hill and Chinatown.
Gualo Rai is at approximately 95 percent 24-hour water service, with one repair on Robot Road pending that closed off a portion of the area.
The Isley well field is by far the largest on Saipan, serving Koblerville, Afetnas, San Jose, Chalan Kanoa, Susupe, Oleai and up to Quartermaster Road. It is currently producing at about 20 to 30 percent of capacity. Hoepner said power line crews made significant progress Thursday restoring overhead lines to the Isley generator, and CUC expects to meet Friday to determine when the generator can come fully online. When it does, the south and west side of the island up through Quartermaster Road will see significantly expanded water service, though some areas may initially be placed on water hours to allow the system to stabilize.
Hoepner said all water released from tanks is accompanied by leak sweeps, with crews walking lines and checking meters to conserve as much water as possible. Residents are asked to call the CUC call center immediately if they see water running on the side of a road. If a neighbor’s tank is overflowing, notify the property owner first, as the water is running through their meter. CUC can also shut off a meter remotely if needed.
The boil water notice remains in effect across Saipan and Tinian. All water should be boiled for at least three minutes before use.
