The Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) has activated a secondary water line from Ngerikiil Dam to the Water Treatment Plant in Ngeruobel and shut down Ngerimel Dam on April 4 to give it a chance to recharge, according to the April 5 public advisory of the National Emergency Committee (NEC).
Ngerikiil and Ngerimel Dams are the two main sources of water supply for majority of Palau population in Koror and Airai.
NEC said in their public advisory statement that the other main source of water supply in Palau, the Ngerikiil Dam, “continues to overflow at maximum levels” and that excess water from it is now being pumped to the Ngerimel Dam to help increase the water level of the latter.
“This action will allow water at Ngerikiil Dam to be utilized at its full capacity by minimizing water loss due to over flow,” the advisory reads.
Based on their April-5 advisory, water level at Ngerimel Dam is already at eight-foot and six-inch deep while “Ngerikiil Dam water level is at 8 feet (overflow) with a total production percentage at 70% which keeps Palau at Stage 2 (Warning), requiring mandatory actions of water rationing,” it added.
The water rationing for Koror and Airai remains and water supply is still out from 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily.
Palau has had minimal rainfall since March 28 and water reservoir level at Ngerimel Dam in Airai is noted to drop to as low as eight feet over the past week.
NEC continues to advise the public to use water wisely and “for essential use only”, suggesting that the public must refrain using water to wash cars, driveways, walkways and for other “non-essential activities such as water blasting.” (Rhealyn C. Pojas/Reporter)