Ensuring your water is safe

The Division of Environmental Quality’s Safe Drinking Water Program’s greatest achievement over the past several years has been the identification of all of the water systems in the CNMI for which the regulations apply, and helping them ALL come into compliance with the monitoring requirements of the National Primary Drinking Water Standards.

This means that all of the Public Water Systems in the CNMI monitor their water (take samples and perform tests) for bacteriological and chemical contaminants on a routine basis to ensure that the water is safe for people to use.

A public water system collects, treats, or distributes water for “human consumption” (which includes drinking, bathing or showering, hand washing, food preparation, cooking, dish washing, or oral hygiene); and has at least 15 service connections or serves at least 25 people daily at least 60 days a year.

Examples of some public water systems in the CNMI include:

– Commonwealth Utilities Corp.

– Bottled Water Companies

– Hotels or restaurants that treat water

– Garment factory barracks that use rain water

– Schools with their own wells

There are currently 93 public water systems that are regulated by DEQ. These water systems are required to test their water every month for coliform bacteria, and test their water for other contaminants like lead, copper, nitrates, and arsenic based on a schedule determined by DEQ. All of this sampling and testing is expensive. Water systems spend anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000 (or more) annually, depending on their size, to test their water. This sampling and testing ensures that consumers get safe water.

Analysis of all chemical contaminants used to have to be conducted by off island DEQ certified laboratories. However, since February 2008, nitrate samples can be analyzed using new equipment at the DEQ Environmental Surveillance Laboratory, saving public water systems’ money on expensive shipping costs.

In addition to sampling and testing, DEQ requires public water systems to disinfect their water with chlorine or other means to ensure it is not contaminated with bacteria or other pathogens. Also, public water systems must be operated by a person that has passed a test and been “certified” as a water operator by DEQ.

Public water systems must be aware of all the drinking water regulations. DEQ periodically holds workshops to educate public water systems owners and operators about new or revised regulations.

Before a public water system is constructed or modified, DEQ must review and approve the plans to ensure that the new facility utilizes approved fixtures and will provide safe water.

Before a public water system first serves water to the public, DEQ must inspect the facility and grant an approval to operate the water system.

DEQ formally conducts sanitary survey inspections of public water systems at least once every three years. Public water systems have 30 days to correct any significant deficiencies that DEQ finds during the inspection.
[B] What happens if a public water system violates the regulations?[/B]

Public water systems that violate the CNMI Drinking Water Regulations can be assessed a penalty of up to $25,000 per day per violation. That is a very hefty fine! DEQ would rather not have to fine a water system though. DEQ’s primary goal is to ensure that your water is safe to use.

When DEQ first learns that a water system is not in compliance with the regulations, DEQ does everything it can to help the water system get back into compliance so that it is providing safe water. Assessing a penalty is the method of last resort when a public water system is not willing to comply with regulations.

All public water systems are required to submit their monthly tests results and should there be any violations, are required to publish those results.

Annually, public water systems are required to inform their customers about their water quality through a brief annual water quality report, also known as the consumer confidence report or CCR. The CCR is due to DEQ and customers on July 1st each year.

If you would like to know about your bottled water company or restaurant’s water quality, you may also inquire with DEQ’s Safe Drinking Water program at any time.

Jose Kaipat, Safe Drinking Water program manager, can be reached at 664-8500. [B][I](DEQ)[/I][/B]