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DEQ probes chemicals found near garment factory
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Posted on Dec 06 1999
The CNMI Division of Environmental Quality has discovered trichloroethylene (TCE) and dichloroethylene (DCE) in the production well at the Suntex garment manufacturing facility in San Antonio, Saipan.
DEQ is investigating the source of this contamination to determine whether other wells in the area have been affected. DEQ will be taking samples in nearby wells today and send them to a DEQ-certified laboratory in California.
The environmental office is requesting the cooperation of individuals and businesses in the area in taking more samples and in the investigations.
DEQ enforces the Safe Drinking Water Act and associated regulations and requires all public water systems to sample their wells according to the guidelines established in the regulations.
Beginning year 2000, DEQ will require all public water systems in the CNMI to conduct consecutive rounds of sampling for over 100 potential drinking water contaminants. The office is offering its assistance to the public water systems, as well as other regulated entities, in complying with the regulations and required sampling.
