NEWS BRIEF: E.P.A. Puts GWA on Notice for Drinking Water System Deficiencies

(11/07/12) HONOLULU - The E.P.A. issued a letter and inspection report to the Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) identifying numerous deficiencies in the utility's drinking water supply systems uncovered in a May 2012 inspection and sanitary survey conducted by EPA.

While the systems' deficiencies do not pose an immediate health threat, EPA's inspection revealed a pattern of poor maintenance that could lead to further deterioration eventually impacting water quality. Currently, the systems' only violation is an excessive level of chemicals formed as a by-product of the disinfection process used to control harmful microbes.

The federal Safe Drinking Water Act gives GWA 45 days from receipt of the letter to consult with E.P.A. on how it intends to address the 40 significant deficiencies. GWA must provide a detailed project and schedule to address the deficiencies identified. This could include actions the utility can undertake quickly to fix the facilities, such as closing direct openings into wellheads and storage tanks; correcting chlorination/disinfection problems; fixing flooded valve vaults that could allow contamination to enter into the drinking water system; and repairing broken or poorly functioning equipment.

The project should also identify specific actions to address longer term deficiencies associated with maintenance and operational aspects of the system, and address the compliance deficiencies identified, to ensure the continuing and future safety of the water supply.

The inspection report also noted that the following regulated chemical contaminants, chlordane, ethylene dibromide, perchloroethylene and trichloroethyelene have been found in GWA drinking water wells, but currently there are no drinking water quality violations for these contaminants. Dieldrin a chemical not regulated by the SDWA was also found in Guam's water supply at levels well below what E.P.A. considers an acute health threat.

A copy of letter and the inspection report will be provided to the U.S. District Court in Guam to keep the Court informed, as they relate to EPA's current enforcement action against GWA. The E.P.A. letter and more information about the E.P.A. Pacific Southwest's drinking water programs, is accessible at: http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/drinking/dw-enforcement.html.

For more information about the Safe Drinking Water Act, please visit: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/index.cfm

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