By Pacific Island Times News Staff
One week after Typhoon Mawar barreled through Guam, several households still have dry faucets due to low water levels in the island’s reservoirs, the Guam Waterworks Authority reported today.
As of Wednesday, GWA said 48 percent of operable wells are online and producing water.
“Guam’s water system relies on adequate water levels in the reservoirs in order for there to be enough pressure to push the water throughout the island,” GWA said.
GWA said the majority of Guam’s island’s water production comes from the northern water wells, which then travels through a series of pipes and reservoirs to the central and southern parts of the island.
“Once enough wells have been brought online, they will be able to produce adequate water supply, providing enough water to fill the reservoirs and provide sufficient pressure to distribute water islandwide,” the water agency said.
GWA said it is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to expedite generators to high-producing well sites. It has deployed two generators, which will be supplemented by eight more for pump stations.
GWA said the northern water system facilities are operating normally but at reduced capacity due to the power failure. Only 48 to 50 percent of wells have access to island or generator power.
“While there is water in the system, there is not enough to meet demand due to only approximately half of wells producing water,” GWA said.
Nevertheless, two high-producing wells that became operational this morning boosted water production by over 1,200 gallons per minute.
GWA said more wells are being restored to island power as Guam Power Authority continues to restore circuits.
It said 30 percent of wells require repair or power restoration, while 14 percent require pump and motor replacements, which was scheduled to begin today.
In the central region, customers connected to Navy-supplied sources at Santa Rita and Nimitz Hill are temporarily restored, except in elevated areas, such as Umang, Santa Ana and Sinifa.
While water has been restored in Talo’fo’fo but minor outages have been reported from this area. Service on Cross Island Road area has been temporarily restored up to Our Lady of Peace
In the southern region, the Ugum Surface Water Treatment Plant is operating at reduced capacity due to damaged control equipment, but is currently exceeding demand, producing 1,107 gallons per minute.
Water has temporarily been restored in Ipan and Merizo, while restoration efforts are ongoing in Umatac.
GWA reiterated its boil-water advisory.
"Due to the impact to GWA’s water system from Typhoon Mawar, portions of the water system have experienced reduced pressure which may pose a risk to customers," the agency said.
"Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for three minutes, and let it cool before using or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice."
The Northern District, Umatac-Merizo, Hagåtña and Inalåhan Wastewater Treatment Plants are all operating normally.
The Agat-Santa Rita Wastewater Treatment Plant is processing flow, but currently without power. The plant will operate normally once power is restored.