Power restoration at 16.2% of system load, more water tanks being deployed | News

Five days after almost all Guam Power Authority customers lost service, power restoration was at 16.2% of system load, according to a news release from the utility.

As of 1 p.m. Sunday, 65.4% of GPA substations and 27% of feeders and circuits had been energized.

Substations need to be energized before feeders and circuits can get power, and then service to customers can be restored.

GPA is working to restore power service as soon as possible, and once substations are brought online, “our feeders/circuits energized percentages will increase resulting in substantially more customers’ power service restored,” the utility reported.

Meanwhile, Guam Waterworks Authority was placing water tanks in villages, as water systems were operating at limited capacity.

GWA deployed 6,000-gallon flexible potable water tanks at Mongmong-Toto-Maite Mayor’s Office, Inalåhan Mayor’s Office, Malesso’ Pier, Hågat Mayor’s Office, Santa Teresita in Mangilao, Ordot-Chalan Pago Mayor’s Office, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Inalåhan and the Dededo Mayor’s Office.

Two more tanks were being prepped for Chalan Palauan in Dededo, and the Sinifa area on Sunday.

The water tanks are accessible 24 hours a day.

Once the tanks are depleted, they will be refilled and returned to service at locations still without water, according to GWA.

The northern water system was operating with limited capacity, with two wells restored to island power overnight. GWA continues to operate all available wells to increase reservoir levels throughout the northern system.

The central system was operating, but with reduced transfer of water from northern wells affecting service. Water service to Santa Rita and Nimitz Hill (except Turner Road area and higher elevations in Piti village) has been restored.

GWA was still working on restoration of service in Hågat. Talo’fo’fo’ and the Windward Hills area has been restored up to Our Lady of Peace, but the Sinifa area along Cross-Island Road was without water service on Sunday.

The southern water system was operating at reduced capacity due to damaged control equipment at the Ugum Surface Water Treatment Plant.

Ipan, Malojloj and Inalåhan had service, but crews needed to fix a main break in Inalåhan before restoration could continue to Malesso’.

A boil water notice remains in place. Water from tanks and taps should be boiled from three minutes before it is consumed. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice.