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Well Drilling in Yap State

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): September 26, 1997 - In an effort to remedy the shortage of drinking water on various outer islands of Yap, the Governments of the FSM and Yap State are finishing well drilling projects on the outer islands of Fais. Two wells were completed last year and two were completed on the last trip, when PMU Project Manager Keyan Zheng was in Yap from August 19th to September 7, 1997, according to the National Planner.

Well No. 3 has a depth of 48 feet with water level depth of 40 feet, and an estimated rate of production of two gallon(s) per minute. Well No. 4, is 51 feet deep, the water level is 49 feet deep, with production rate of two gallons per minute.

Residents experienced water to be brackish at times which was checked by Zheng who reported that static water in the wells is fresh water, but when disturbed in deeper wells the water become brackish. Zheng advised that when the well's water gets brackish, a few feet of backfilling the bottom of the well can solve the problem. A hand-pump well needs backfill when water become brackish.

Zheng also performed hydrogeological survey with help from the Office of Planning and Budget and Public Service Corporation in four areas in northern Rull areas. Of the four areas surveyed two are drillable while conditions at the other two are not favorable.

The drilling equipment and spare parts used in the state of Yap were donated by the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC).