It’s a waiting game for Guamanians as they wait for utilities to be restored and are lining up for hours as they wait for fuel for vehicles and generators.
Guam Waterworks Authority personnel are assessing the water system as they work to return waterflow to all residences and businesses. According to GWA officials, they are at about 50% production. Many generators at water wells failed and the agency is getting assistance from Guam National Guard personnel to clear access to other wells. Essentially, power is needed to get the water wells online. As of noon May 27, there has been no update on power restoration but crews have been out restoring power at GPA substations and then the areas that are powered via those substations. As of May 26, there were 41.4% of substations restored; 16% of GPA feeders or circuits restored; and nearly 4% of system load (also called customer demand) was restored.
Meanwhile, Joint Information Center officials said there are four water tanks at the following locations:
- Santa Teresita, Mangilao
- Ordot-Chalan Pago Mayor’s Office, Chalan Pago
- St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inalåhan
- Dededo Mayor’s Office, Dededo
The water tanks listed above are accessible 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Once the tanks are depleted, they will be refilled and returned to service at locations still without water. Residents island-wide who have water service are advised to conserve and limit use for cleaning, bathing, and cooking. Water conservation will help increase levels at reservoirs.
The water that is coming through the tap, should be boiled for at least three minutes prior to consumption. “A precautionary boil water notice remains in place due to possible bacterial contamination in the water that can occur when increased run-off enters a drinking water source following heavy rains,” the JIC release states.
Boil water notice tips:
- DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.
- Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for three (3) 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.
- Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
GWA continues its restoration and post-typhoon recovery efforts, according to the JIC. GWA reports that as of 10 a.m. May 27:
- Currently 50% of operable wells are online
- GWA continues to operate all available wells to increase reservoir levels throughout the northern system
- The connection to Navy-supplied sources at Sånta Rita-Sumai and Nimitz Hill has been restored and service is being restored to the area
- The new Windward Hills Reservoir was put online after chlorination reached acceptable levels. providing partial service to the village of Talo’fo’fo
- GWA crews continue work to repair a water main break in Hågat before service can be restored
- Residents can report water outages at (671) 647-7800.