The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is moving to replace about 2,500 failed water meters across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, saying the new technology will improve billing accuracy, help customers monitor their water use and reduce long-term water losses.
Speaking after CUC’s special board meeting last June 25 at its offices in Dandan, executive director Kevin Watson said the utility is seeking approval to procure approximately $2.2 million worth of ultrasonic water meters to replace aging mechanical meters that have stopped accurately recording water consumption because of the corrosive conditions in the CNMI's groundwater.
"We have on a magnitude about 2,500 that has to be estimated," Watson said, referring to failed meters currently requiring estimated billing.
He said the islands' groundwater contains high salt content and total dissolved solids that gradually damage conventional meters.
"The condition of the water in CNMI is very corrosive due to the salt content from the water, the groundwater from the intrusion from the salt water from the sea, and total dissolved solids. That builds up on inside of meters."
Watson explained that the buildup causes the meters' internal moving parts to slow and eventually stop registering water usage even though water continues flowing.
"We've identified meters and tested them that an ultrasonic meter that doesn't have moving parts, but just a straight pipe internally that will accurately measure the flow and will continue to measure accurately for over 10 to 20 years."
The proposed purchase totals more than $2.2 million. Watson said the selected meter is manufactured by Neptune and distributed by Ferguson, the sole distributor for the product.
"We can afford this through our PFOS O&M fund that we've gotten through settlements. EPA and DOJ have stipulated that we can only use those funds on water and wastewater O&M. This is an O&M project, and so it can be used for that."
Watson said the replacement program will benefit customers by providing more accurate billing and eventually allowing users to monitor their water consumption and quickly identify leaks.
"This will also help customers reduce their water bill, because they will eventually be able to monitor their usage, and if they have it continuously, they can fix it right away."
Most of the failed meters are on Saipan, although replacements will also be made on Tinian and Rota. The procurement must still receive approval from the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission before CUC can place the order. Watson said the utility hopes to begin replacements as soon as the approval process is completed.
During the board meeting, management also reported that replacing failed meters is expected to improve water conservation and reduce non-revenue water by restoring accurate consumption measurements.
Board members approved the procurement request, noting that the ultrasonic meters are compatible with CUC's advanced metering infrastructure and are expected to last significantly longer than conventional mechanical meters.
Officials also discussed the utility's ongoing financial challenges as recovery from Super Typhoon Sinlaku continues, including cash flow constraints, pending Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements, shortages of transformers and utility poles, continued power restoration efforts, the status of solar energy procurement, and planning for a long-term replacement or reconstruction of the damaged power plant.
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