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EPA fines Guam Waterworks Authority $9,000 for failure to complete drinking water supply project

Release Date: 07/23/2008
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, higuchi.dean@epa.gov

(07/23/08) HONOLULU -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today fined the Guam Waterworks Authority $9,000 for failing to fully comply with a 2003 court order to make improvements to its drinking water system.

GWA was fined for failing to meet a June 30 deadline to design and install new drinking water supply lines as part of the Sinajana Water Transmission Line project.

“While GWA has made improvements in chlorination and disinfection of drinking water, missed deadlines are delaying critical next steps,” said Alexis Strauss, water division director for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. “Completing this project is important to reduce the risk of microbial contamination from drinking water wells, and to provide reliable and consistent drinking water disinfection for Guam’s residents.”

GWA completed installation of water transmission lines, but still has to install the remaining water supply lines agreed to in the project design, which is estimated to take just under a year. The final phase of the project, which includes a chlorination treatment system, still needs a final approved design. Construction is expected to take 6-9 months.

The stipulated order requires penalties to be assessed for the missed deadlines and provides for additional penalties until the work is complete.

Guam’s water system is being upgraded and improved upon to ensure the proper management, treatment and delivery of safe drinking water.

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