CUC unveils new wastewater treatment plant clarifier | Local News | saipantribune.com - Saipan Tribune

CUC unveils new wastewater treatment plant clarifier | Local News | saipantribune.com

Since 2018, staff of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s Wastewater Treatment Plant in Sadog Tasi had to manually clarify wastewater before the water could be released into the ocean. That will no longer happen now, thanks to a newly installed clarifier that was unveiled yesterday at the plant—signaling an end to the staff’s backbreaking work.

According to John Tinger, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency investigator who has been closely monitoring the Sadog Tasi treatment plant for 10 years, he has witnessed the incredible efforts made by plant operators to thoroughly clarify wastewater to ensure the protection of Saipan’s waters. Clarification is when suspended solids are separated from wastewater, mainly through gravity.

“We recognize the incredible efforts of the onsite operators to keep this plant running. During the time this clarifier was down, these operators were able to manage the system consistently [and] achieve those limits even without a functioning clarifier. The wastewater crew devised an improvised system using PVC, duct tape, and all sorts of materials. I don’t think anyone in the country has seen anything like it. But just through hard work and perseverance, for years, they were able to keep the treatment plant running to protect the waters of the CNMI,” he said.

Finally, the Sadog Tasi treatment plant unveiled its new clarifier yesterday—a project that was funded by the EPA.

“Since 2018, CUC has been struggling without a clarifier. [Wastewater crew] had to makeshift the pump, the hoses, and daily pull that across manually. I know it was labor-intensive, very hard work, and since 2018 they’ve managed to keep the plant running. But today, [with the new clarifier], our Biological Oxygen Demand was 2. That’s like 98% removal; it’s remarkable. Total suspended solids are also very low. It’s such a remarkable task that the operators, engineers, the whole team have come together to achieve this remarkable treatment process. Throughout the United States, plants don’t normally achieve that remarkable success in removal of BOD. We’ve set some clarified water aside and it almost looks like tap water leaving the treatment plant into the ocean. I’m very proud of that,” said Kevin O. Watson, CUC deputy executive director for water/wastewater.

Watson said the Sadog Tasi treatment plan has come a long way and he is amazed by the team’s accomplishments.

“I started here a year ago, before the construction. …It was a team operation. I’m amazed by the accomplishment, seeing how it was like before and what they have had to work with, and what we’ve accomplished,” he said.

CUC acting executive director Betty Terlaje also acknowledged the men and women who make up the Sadog Tasi treatment plant team, stating that their job is vital in ensuring the safety of the CNMI community and the CNMI environment.

“On behalf of management, I want to thank all wastewater staff because we’re here to celebrate the new clarifier that has been out since 2018. This is a huge treatment plant and, even with the clarifier down, we were able to come up with a solution by getting creative. Wastewater employees, we recognize your hard work. Thank you for what you do. Your work here is so important as it keeps the community safe and our environment safe,” she said.

U.S. District Court for the NMI Judge David Carter echoed Terlaje’s sentiment, adding that the most important part of the installation of a new clarifier is that it provides safety for the treatment plant operators.

“This clarifier will keep you young people working safer. You’re the most important product we have. You created a miracle. From 2018 when this went down, to today with the replacement clarifier, you are the most important products of CUC…,” he said.

Acting governor David M. Apatang also recognized the hard work the CUC team put into keeping the plant in operation, with or without a clarifier.

“This project has been in the works for years. It is always satisfying to see a project like this completed and activated to serve its purpose. To those involved in the construction of this critical infrastructure, thank you for your efforts to get the work done. To the wastewater treatment staff, tasked with keeping this facility going 24/7, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and I thank you for your commitment to keep the treatment center going. Management is one thing, but this facility would not be operating at all without the staff assigned to man this facility. Your work is appreciated. This facility serves to protect the human health by protecting the island’s environment and its beautiful waters that provides food for all of us. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and I thank CUC, staff, management, and especially its wastewater team for doing an excellent job in seeing the clarifier built and operating,” he said.