Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

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).